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Jul 28 2010 -- Aug 28 2010  Efforts to Protect the Lower Rogue From Gravel Mining Continue Rainbow over Rogue River Estuary Oregon Shores’ Land Use Program continues to battle proposed gravel mining by Tidewater Contractors in the lower Rogue River watershed at Wedderburn. We contend that mining in this area, as intended by Tidewater, threatens water quality through pollution and sedimentation, and could thus impact riverine habitat and endangered species. Our latest effort focuses on Tidewater’s application to Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality for a stormwater permit, known formally as an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit. Tidewater seeks a “general” — generic — permit. At the very least, we urge DEQ to insist that the company prepare an individual permit application, which would require it to reveal a great deal more information. Together with the Crag Legal Center, our partners in the Coastal Law Partnership, Oregon Shores submitted extensive comments on Tidewater’s application, pointing out that the application doesn’t provide convincing demonstrations that adequate pollution and sediment abatement will take place under the proposal. Given the parlous state of the Rogue estuary, which is severely shallowing due to excessive sedimentation washing down from higher in the watershed already, we urge that Tidewater be blocked from continuing its gravel mining operations at least until there is a much clearer plan for protecting the river. Oregon Shores also submitted comments opposing Tidewater’s application for a permit for its “Fitz Pit” mining operation on the Chetco River. This is an unpermitted operation that Tidewater is now attempting to bring within the law, which threatens one of the Oregon coast’s most pristine watersheds. 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 Contact: Phillip Johnson, CoastWatch Director, (503) 238-4450, or EMAIL ©2013 Oregon Shores •  CONTACT US