Article below udated: 6/17/10

In October of 2009 a Mining Town Hall was held at the Anne Basker titled, Mining Past, Present, & Future. Focusing exclusive to the miner's concerns, law, and regulations. SELECT: GP MINERS TOWN HALL to view the meeting from RVTVs web site.

On November 24th 2009 the Josephine County Board of Commissioners fast tracked a dicision to adopt a resolution drafted by local mining leaders to oppose withdrawal from filing new claims under the 1872 mining law supported by Govenor Kulungowski, Sentors Wyden and Merkley and Representatifve Peter DeFazio. A vote of 2-1 occurred with Dave Toler decenting. Select: Nov. 24th BCC Meeting to download a recording of the Commissioner Meeting.

These proceedings lacked adequate notice and input from local businesses, land owners and citizens. This prompted us to request that the mining law issue be covered in a citizens forum.

In response the County Commissioners approved the Town Hall Meeting titled "Reform of the 1872 Mining Law Pro & Con'. The intent by IVCME is to view it from a wider range of perspectives. The Town Hall was held May 25th but attempts to schedule Panelists from local environmental groups, the Forest Service and BLM failed, leaving the panel inadequate to form a debate pro and con on withdrawal and reform. The Panelists did make excellent presentations on Mining History, the intent of congress and the formation of mining districts and laws, claim rights and the reformability of the 1872 law.

Our objective at this point is to expand dialog and research between environmental and mining groups, the land management agencies and the Illinois Valley/Josephine County community, specifically on the matter of legality, human rights and the environment.

I will be updating these pages as things develop and I have time to post them. Emails me if you wish more specific information.

Thanks to you all for our your contributions and knowledge.

Guenter Ambron

If you haven't read the articles in the Illinois Valley News then check out these links:
IV News- 12/02/09 "BCC Oppose Mining Ban"
IV News- 12/16/09 "IV Groups for Withdrawal"

A Progressive Study on Mining Laws, enviornmental concerns
and mining practices in Southern Oregon

The bar on the right will give you a brief history of the development of the Town Hall on Mining Reform. Below is the Schedule for the May Town Hall event.

Here are the links for viewing the May Josephine County Board of County Commissioners Monthly Town Hall.

Part 1. Mining Reform Pro & Con - Panel Presentation
Part 2 - Audience participation and Summation

A report will be available when I have time to write it with further information on the direction we are heading on the Mining Issue. - Guenter

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REFORM OF THE 1872 MINING LAW PROS AND CONS
TOWN HALL
Tuesday, May 25th 2010, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Anne Basker Auditorium, Grants Pass

The intent of this Town Hall is to present and discuss relevant information on mining practices and mining laws, our personal rights, the environmental concerns, and the effects upon our community and our economy in Josephine County. A wide range of participation is planned with a full hour for questions and dialog with attendees.
A progressive format will be utilized to maximize audience participation. You can also submit questions or information for the Mining Town Hall in advance at the website and e-mail listed below.

Host: Josephine County Commissioner: Sandi Cassanelli
Moderator: Guenter Ambron - Illinois Valley Community Media & Education

6:00 - 6:10pm Introductions
6:10 - 7:10pm
Scheduled Speakers:
Retired Forest Service Ranger - Joel King
Southern Oregon Resource Alliance - Jack Swift
Southwest Ore. Mining Association - Ron Gibson / Hal Anthony

7:10 - 7:20 Break

7:20 - 8:20
Audience Participation & Forum
Citizens, Land Owners, Agencies, Groups, Businesses and Associations
are all invited. Send a representative. You can e-mail us at the address below and submit any information or questions in advance for inclusion to the Session and the website. First come first served.

8:20 - 8:30
Summation / Suggestions and Ideas for future Town Halls & Forums

This event will be video taped by Rogue Valley TV and available on the County’s Web site.

Visit the IVCME web site or e-mail us to get on a list for updates
web site: http:myplace.frontier.com/~jocoeco
or e-mail: Jocoeco@frontier.com
or call Guenter Ambron at 541-592-4695 for information

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Lead introduction article drafted 12/09/09:

   The recent escalation of mining activities on public lands in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Area are a growing concern for politicians, business, land owners and citizens of rural South West Oregon. Our wild and scenic rivers; the Chetco, Rogue and Illinois River are home to some of the most valuable salmon runs in the Northern Pacific. The Siskiyous are host to 281 species of unique plants with a range of 27 different species of conifer and some of the cleanest waters in the NorthWest. These are just some of the many outstanding attributes that make up this world class temperate rain forest region. Neighbors to these public lands have been adversely affected by poor land management practices, unregulated activities and the lack of comprehensive measures to mitigate mining and other impacts. The ecological health of the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Area is a vital freature that contributes significantly to our local economy, with tourism, scenic retreats, recreation, fishing (comercial & sport), hunting, hiking, education, exquisit forest real estate, and regionally featured arts and crafts.

   For these and a host of other reasons we support a comprehensive public review of existing mining laws, mining plans and current mining practices within the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Area. We support a thourough study on the reasons for withdrawal of the 1872 mining law (limiting hardrock mining to valid existing claims).

   It is the intent of this progressive study to bring to you relevant information on the mining issues, the environmental concerns and their effects upon our community and the economy. This site will build on information as we go, soliciting our community's help and the professionals engaged in the legal, environmental sciences, and mining fields. We are planning workshops and local town halls for 2010. (See Town Hall information top right columb.) All parties who are interested in expressing their views, experiences and concerns including our local mining community are invited. We welcome your emails and comments. email jocoeco@frontier.com

    We are no longer circulating a petition in support of the 'Withdrawal of the 1872 Mining Law'