Recreational Suction Dredge Mining Threatens Klamath Salmon
Urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to agree to a moratorium on mining
With the price of gold sky high, recreational mining clubs are gearing up for a big season on the Klamath. Suction dredge mining's impacts to the river include destroying critical habitat used by salmon and lamprey species, releasing large volumes of mud and sediment into the water, and potentially turning loose toxic mercury tailings buried in the riverbed.
Your help is needed to urge the Governor to side with the California legislature, and agree to a moratorium on suction dredge mining attached to the state's 2008-9 budget. The temporary moratorium would halt recreational suction dredgers on the Klamath until Cal Fish and Game can issue proper regulations. Copy and send the letter below, or write your own.
Sample Letter
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )
Email contact form
Dear Governor Schwartzenegger:
Recreational gold-mining poses a serious threat to Klamath River salmon, whose dramatic declines have already hurt California's commercial fishing industry and Klamath Basin Native Tribes. I strongly urge you to agree to the temporary moratorium on this harmful practice that the state legislature has attached to the 2008-9 budget.
While the commercial fishing crisis was triggered this year by the Sacramento River, a similar crisis was triggered last year by the Klamath, whose salmon runs currently average 1/10 of their historic numbers. Klamath coho (Southern Oregon/Northern California coho salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit) are listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, and dramatic recovery efforts must be made to avoid future ESA listing of other salmonid species.
Suction dredge mining destroys spawning habitat used by Klamath salmon species and Pacific Lamprey. Lamprey young mature in the riverbed for up to 7 years, and are an important subsistence food for Native people. Suction dredge mining can also release buried mercury tailings as it puts long-buried river sediment into the water column.
Gold mining clubs claim that up to 2,500 miners will be affected by a moratorium on Klamath gold-mining. However, 2.2 million California anglers are impacted by diminishing fish populations, and California's three largest Native Tribes rely on Klamath salmon culturally, economically, and nutritionally. Studies show every sport-hooked Chinook brings $200 to the Klamath basin economy.
The Klamath truly cannot afford a flood of recreational miners, many of whom are from out-of-state, further damaging its already compromised fishery. Please act with the legislature to impose a moratorium on recreational suction dredge mining on the Klamath River.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Tell the Oregon Public Utilities Commission - Un-Dam the Klamath for Ratepayer Savings!
Contact the Oregon PUC with talking points from the sample letter below:
Public Utility Commission of Oregon
550 Capitol St NE #215
PO Box 2148
Salem OR 97308-2148
1-800-522-2404
puc.commission@state.or.us
Sample letter:
"Relicensing Pacific Power's Klamath Hydroelectric project could cost ratepayers a lot of money. Both the California Energy Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission compared the cost of a relicensed project to the cost of removing the dams and replacing the power. they found that removing the dams and buying replacement power would save ratepayers $100 million dollars!
Please take a stand for ratepayers! We have a chance to save money and restore one of America's most important salmon rivers.
If PacifiCorp insists on spending the $400-$500 million to bring these antiquated dams into compliance with modern environmental standards, ratepayers should NOT have to pay for it since there is a cheaper and more responsible alternative - dam removal."