Oregon is facing an epidemic of destructive suction dredge mining on dozens of the state's most iconic and wild waterways.

The clean, fresh water of Oregon's rivers and streams are the lifeblood of the state, delivering drinking water, enabling fishing and recreation, and supplying habitat for salmon and other marine life.

Suction dredge mining decimates the bottom of rivers and streams, stirs up silt and mud, warms waters to unhealthy levels for fish, and is a source of noise, sight and air pollution in the wild, with large gasoline engines fueling high-powered suction vacuums, operating right in the middle of our state's rivers and waterways.

The state legislature needs to aggressively address the threat of suction dredge mining, and expand State Scenic Waterway protections before more damage is done.

With many of these miners already kicked out of California for practicing their "hobby" at Oregon's expense, now is the time for Oregon to stand up for it's wild rivers and waterways, salmon, clean water, and quality of life.

(photo by Heidi Walters, North Coast Journal)