CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. (AP) — Some environmentalists are appalled at the possibility that southern Oregon’s Chetco River might be commercially dredged for gold.
The Oregonian reports that developer Dave Rutan plans to fly in crews by helicopter to look for gold in the pristine river. Some environmental groups are promising to fight that proposal, but Rutan tells the newspaper that existing mining laws won’t let them interfere.
Under the 1872 law, prospectors can stake an exclusive claim to mine on certain federal land. Gold or other minerals they find are theirs, but the land stays in public ownership.
___
Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com
