Cheers for the Chetco!

June 15, 2010 | Most Endangered Rivers, Protecting Rivers

Jessie Thomas-Blate
Coordinator, Most Endangered Rivers

Great news today on our #7 Most Endangered River of 2010—the Chetco River in Oregon!  Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman DeFazio have introduced legislation today in both houses of Congress that would permanently protect the Chetco River from mining. 

The Chetco River is surrounded by beautiful serene wilderness, and provides exceptional opportunities to fish for salmon and steelhead.  Proposals to suck up the river bottom to mine for gold could destroy this special gem.

Passage of the legislation introduced today would prohibit any new mining claims along the Chetco, and require current claims to go through an intense review process in order to continue operation.  The river would also have increased levels of protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.  

With the support of river lovers across the country, we will now have the opportunity to permanently protect the Chetco River for future generations!  However, this legislation won’t pass right away.  In the meantime, we still need the Obama Administration to do their part to immediately withdraw the Chetco from mining, which may begin as early as July 15!  Let the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture know that you care about the Chetco.  Send them a letter today!

Thank you to Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman DeFazio for introducing this important legislation!  Kudos!

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