The Wild and Scenic Chetco River in Oregon is renowned for its world-class salmon and steelhead runs, and crystal clear water – it is also one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers. It is vulnerable to mining as a result of the General Mining Law; a law from 1872 that gives mining precedence over all other uses for the river.
The good news is that the U.S. Forest Service is urging the Interior Department to protect about 17 miles of the river by withdrawing it from mining for the next five years to give Congress time to pass more lasting protection via the Chetco River Protection Act.
By making our voices heard, we have an opportunity to protect almost the entire length of the river.
Send a message to the Department of Interior urging them to approve this request and save the Chetco River from suction dredge mining by clicking here.
To learn more about the Chetco River, click here.