Most Oregonians never have laid eyes on the Chetco River, which tumbles out of the Siskiyou Mountains and flows into the Pacific Ocean at Brookings, in the far southwest corner of the state. Until now, the Chetco's out of sight, out of mind status has been just fine with those who love the river.But not anymore. Those who care about the Chetco are desperately trying to draw attention to the river and to plans by a Seattle developer to mine for gold in some 24 miles of the streambed. The proposed large-scale suction dredging is a serious threat to the clear-blue Chetco and its robust runs of wild salmon and steelhead.
On Wednesday, the national conservation group American Rivers released its annual list of the 10 most endangered rivers in the United States. The Chetco was seventh -- and the only Oregon river to make the list.
If it seems inconceivable that the federal government would let anyone suction dredge even a single mile of such a pristine river, then you don't know the 1872 Mining Law, which still trumps both common sense and federal wild and scenic river rules meant to protect streams such as the Chetco.
Without an act of Congress or a formal mining withdrawal, there's no way local land managers can block the proposed suction dredging on the Chetco. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, members of the state's congressional delegation, local environmental groups and American Rivers all have called on top Obama administration officials to withdraw the Chetco from mining. That would give Congress time to pass legislation to permanently protect the river.
But so far there's been no response from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, the mining season draws near, and soon the suction dredges could be stirring up the bottom of one of Oregon's natural treasures. The Chetco needs attention -- and it needs it now.