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Jun 6 2009 -- Jul 15 2009 Two More Victories on Gravel Mining on the Rogue |  In late May, the Curry County Planning Commission turned down Tidewater Contractors' proposal to mine a 52-acre gravel bar on the lower Rogue River. This was the second time Tidewater had proposed to mine the gravel bar. The planning commission turned Tidewater down for the exact same proposal in 2008. Local people came out and testified in number against the proposal in 2008, and they came and testified again in 2009. The planning commission turned down the application without much discussion. Oregon Shores is very grateful to the Curry County Planning Commission for its courageous stewardship of the Rogue River. The Rogue is one of America's premier scenic and fishing rivers. The estuary is critical salmon habitat, and a large new gravel mine right in the lower estuary would have been devastating to the salmon.
At the same hearing the Planning Commission turned down Tidewater's request to reinterpret the estuary boundary in such a manner that would allow the company to expand operations at its Wedderburn site across the river. The Planning Commission agreed with Curry County staff that the Wedderburn site is indeed in the Rogue River estuary — because it is in the floodplain, traditionally the boundary of the estuary. Furthermore, the Planning Commission agreed that the mining site is located in an ER-1 "natural estuary" management unit, which prohibits mining unless it is a grandfathered, non-conforming use. The Wedderburn mining site is such a grandfathered use. So this Planning Commission decision means that mining may continue at the site at existing levels, but may not be expanded. Again, Oregon Shores commends the Curry County Planning Commission for adhering to the existing estuary zone drawn in the Curry County Comprehensive Plan. No county has the right to simply redraw an estuary zone boundary; these boundaries are drawn with the best available science as a guide. The Planning Commission's decision is appropriate and responsible.
More information:
5/14/2009: OS Letter to PC regarding Tidewater Request
5/14/2009: Tidewater Request for Interpretation
Articles on topic 'Curry: Gravel Mining':
Sep 5 2011 Oregon Shores Seeks Again to Protect Rogue from Mining
May 5 2011 Efforts to Block Tidewater’s Gravel Mining Succeed
Feb 10 2011 Curry Planning Commission Turns Down Gravel Mining
Jul 28 2010 Efforts to Protect the Lower Rogue From Gravel Mining Continue
Apr 5 2010 Gravel Mining Continues to Threaten Chetco River, Rogue Estuary
Feb 15 2010 LUBA: Tidewater May Apply for Wedderburn In-stream Mining
Oct 28 2009 South Coast Rivers: Gravel Mining Continues
Jul 23 2009 Results of Hearing on Gravel Mining on Elk
Jul 21 2009 Curry County Hearing July 21 on Gravel Mining in Elk River
Jun 6 2009 Two More Victories on Gravel Mining on the Rogue
May 28 2009 Third Hearing Scheduled on Gravel Mining near Old Mill Site
Apr 23 2009 Tidewater Requests "Interpretation" of Estuary Boundaries
Apr 1 2009 ACOE Solicits Comments on Tidewater Application on Elk River
Sep 24 2008 Two Victories on Gravel Mining on the Rogue
Sep 23 2008 New Guide to Permitting for Instream Gravel Mining
New Guide to Permitting for Instream Gravel Mining
Aug 7 2008 Gravel Mining on the Rogue
Nov 1 2007 Chetco River Gravel Mining
Nov 1 2007 Rogue River Gravel Mining |
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