GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — The Chetco River in southwestern Oregon is on the list of 10 most endangered rivers in the country compiled annually by the conservation group American Rivers.
The group Tuesday cited plans by Seattle developer David Rutan to mine gold on the river under authority of the 1872 Mining Act as the reason for listing it seventh on the list.
American Rivers President Rebecca Wodder said the nation cannot let the antiquated mining law stand in the way of protection for a river that is an important economic resource for the region.
The Chetco flows out of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and reaches the ocean at Brookings.
It is part of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and home to salmon and steelhead runs.
