Oregon's Wild and Scenic Illinois River is now protected from mining because of its scenic beauty, salmon and steelhead fishery, and recreational values.
But that protection is set to expire in June 2013 -- leaving 13 miles of the river at risk.
Please tell the Interior Department to renew the Illinois River's protection against mining! Because some places simply shouldn't be mined.
Sixmile Creek Recreation Site, part of the river that is subject to the withdrawal extension.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Ullian
1872 Mining Law Puts the Illinois River at Risk
Without a mineral withdrawal, mining becomes the dominant use because the 1872 mining law prioritizes mining over all other land uses —even on National Wild and Scenic Rivers like the Illinois. With gold at record high prices and the advent of recreational suction dredge mining, the risks to the river are great.
BLM Decides the River's Fate
The Oregon Office of the BLM, part of the Department of the Interior, is taking public comment now on extending the mineral withdrawal for another 20 years.
TAKE ACTION: Please tell BLM to protect this special river from mining.
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