Protect Coastal Rivers From Nickel Strip Mining - TakePart

To: Oregon State Director, BLM

I support a 20-year mineral withdrawal for two remarkable areas in southwest Oregon with exceptionally high conservation value. With outstanding wild rivers, crystal-clear water, robust salmon runs, and globally unique botanical values, these National Forest and BLM lands are too special to mine.

I thank the Department of the Interior for carefully considering the nearly 45,000 public comments made during public comment periods in support of a 20-year withdrawal, including from tribes, counties, municipalities, water districts, businesses, community clubs, sportsmen’s groups, conservation organizations, and individuals in local communities and all across America.

A 20-year withdrawal will provide critical interim protection from mining for

• A vital stronghold for salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat
• Public lands that support a treasure trove of botanical diversity containing one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in North America
• Pure drinking water for local communities
• Outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, and kayaking

The 20-year withdrawal is needed because mining companies, one foreign owned, want to strip-mine unique public lands for low-grade nickel. Strip mining would turn our National Forests and BLM lands into industrial zones and put our extraordinary rivers at irrevocable risk for pollution.

Oregon’s Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congress members Peter DeFazio and Jared Huffman have joined together to champion the protection of these outstanding wild headwaters areas by introducing the Southwest Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act. I strongly support their efforts, but gridlock in Congress makes it challenging to advance legislation.

I appreciate that the Department of the Interior and my elected officials have been responsive to the overwhelming public support for the 20-year mineral withdrawal option that will best safeguard the outstanding rivers of southwestern Oregon for the future.  

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

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