The Return of the 49ers?
Salm Stroich
Recalling the legacy of the
original “49ers” (genocide,
robbery, and total obliteration of the landscape for profit) one has to
wonder at the choice of names for this new group of miners coming into the
Salmon River.
Residents are anxious about the return of the “New 49ers” this summer. Officially, the date for dredging begins on July 1. However, residents and local organizations are concerned about the lack of environmental analysis, lack of public input into the process, and the possible impacts to the unique fisheries of the Salmon River. Photo New 49ers
“No Camping”
Of special concern is the “club” status, and the mass of individuals from outside the area who know very little about the significant resource of the Salmon River. Already this year, the US Forest Service found some New 49er members dredging in May! The group has no approved Plan of Operations, and it looks like they won’t get one soon. As a result, the group campsite at about mile the old Frate place near Duncan Creek was not approved. “No camping” signs have been placed here by the Forest Service. It is sad to see the impacts this site has experienced in such a short time. Good by to the 5 largest trees at that site, a madrone, two canyon live oaks, and two Douglas firs. These trees were cut part way through by somebody, and the Forest Service finished the job because of the hazard these trees presented.
According to the Forest Service, the New 49ers are not submitting a Plan of Operations. Instead, they will be submitting individual Notice Of Intents (NOI), thus requiring no NEPA analysis (public comments, and environmental analysis). Joyce Thompson, the acting Ranger managing the lower part of the Salmon River, will decide June 23rd if this approach will be accepted. Many agency biologists have commented that a NEPA analysis is warranted given the critical status of the Salmon River fisheries.
Spring Chinook, Green Sturgeon, Coho, Steelhead, and Lamprey
Suction
dredging in the mainstem has the potential to effect several key fish
species. By sucking up gravel there is direct impact to juvenile fish that
live in the spaces between the
gravel,
such as lamprey and sturgeon. Artificial placement of tailings may lead
Coho and Chinook to spawn on these gravels, and then suffer the loss of
redds when fall rains “blow-out” the tailings. By stirring up the sediment,
increases in temperature become a major concern. The Salmon River is a
cold-water refugia used by many species, especially the Spring Chinook. It
is thought by many scientists that the Salmon River may be the future
Sturgeon on the lower Salmon River
“reservoir” of fish to re-populate the entire Klamath basin after the dams
are decommissioned. Gasoline and oil are major concerns to everyone,
especially after two dredges “got loose” last summer, one flipping over and
spilling gas and oil into the river. Incidental spills from re-filling gas
tanks and canisters left by the water’s edge present significant hazards, as
well. Lack of sanitation facilities for bathing may be putting soap and
detergents directly into the river.