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South Coast Rivers -- Jun 7 2009  South Coast Rivers Initiative Oregon Shores has launched its South Coast Rivers Initiative, thanks largely to the generosity of the Jubitz Family Foundation. In this project, we are focusing on the rivers of Curry County, and the threats and problems they face. These rivers — the Sixes, Elk, Rogue, Pistol and Chetco — are some of the most pristine rivers in Oregon, with the best wild salmon runs remaining. However, there are many problems looming over these rivers. Inappropriate rural development patterns bring sediment and erosion to the rivers. Lax enforcement of the riparian zone ordinances remove critical vegetation. One of the most serious threats is instream gravel mining. Both the Chetco and the Rogue support large amounts of instream mining. Although a dizzying array of state, federal and county permits is necessary for the mining, there has never been scientific evaluation of these rivers' abilities to support such gravel mining; we just do not know how much gravel the rivers deposit each year, nor how they respond to large amounts of mining. Again thanks to The Jubitz Family Foundation, Oregon Shores has been able to post these zoning documents provided by the Curry County Planning Department. See also the index to complete Curry County Zoning specifications for allowed uses along the banks of these extraordinary rivers, up to the border of federal public lands. The least amount of human activity is allowed in the Forestry-Grazing (FG) zone. Rural residential zones allow some houses, usually five to ten acres. Zoning for the banks of the rivers inside of cities is not shown on these maps. Elk and Sixes Rivers Rogue River Pistol River Chetco River The South Coast Rivers Initiative is designed by Oregon Shores staff to focus on environmental problems affecting the rivers of Curry County, with some work on Coos County rivers as well. Over this past year, it has included the appeal of several ill-advised land use decisions, and participation in many local decisions, both in land use matters and gravel permits for instream mining. For more information, contact Cameron La Follette (503) 391-0210, or EMAIL. Tutorial/Slide presentation by JD Brown, CRAG Law Center, on Instream Mining Permitting Process   ©2013 Oregon Shores •  CONTACT US