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Help protect the Wild and Scenic Chetco River The Wild and Scenic Chetco River is the epitome of America’s Great Outdoors. Its wild headwaters in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, its stunning crystal waters that provide extraordinary recreation opportunities, its impressive Chinook salmon and its municipal water supplies for coastal communities make the Chetco River an aquatic gem on America’s Wild Rivers Coast.
And while you would think it's permanently protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, thanks to the 1872 Mining Law, it’s not.
While the Chetco River Protection Act makes it ways through Congress, the Forest Service and Department of Interior are proposing interim protection for about 17 miles of the river by withdrawing it from the 1872 Mining Law for five years while Congress considers the legislation. The Forest Service is accepting "scoping" comments on this 5-year withdrawal from the 1872 Mining Law until June 1st. Please sign the petition below in support of these interim protections for the Chetco while Congress considers more lasting protection.
Dear District Ranger Vandiver,
I’m writing in support of the Forest Service’s proposal to withdraw 5,610 acres along the National Wild and Scenic Chetco River from the 1872 Mining Law "in aid of legislation." The Chetco is a world-class salmon and steelhead river. Its fishery is important to the economy of the communities of Oregon and California’s Wild Rivers Coast. Its strikingly clear turquoise and emerald waters provide remarkable recreational opportunities and clean drinking water to the communities of Brookings and Harbor. Current surfacing mining regulations aren’t adequate to protect the Chetco River’s nationally outstanding values and there are no mining regulations for Wild and Scenic Rivers. Thus, this remarkable salmon river, local economic engine and recreation magnet will continue to be at risk from mining proposals unless we permanently protect it from the 1872 Mining Law. I support legislation to provide greater protection for the Wild and Scenic Chetco River and appreciate the Forest Service’s efforts to provide interim measures to preserve the status quo while Congress considers more lasting protection via the Chetco River Protection Act. Because of the many weighty measures before Congress, I believe the interim withdrawal should be for 20 years rather than the proposed 5 years. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this important matter.
This petition is no longer active.
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Join a nationwide effort to protect 17 miles of the Wild and Scenic Chetco River from gold mining. Express your support for a temporary withdrawal from the 1872 Mining Law "in aid of legislation" while Congress considers additional and greater protection for this world-class salmon and steelhead river. 