Protecting our Wild Rivers from Nickel Strip Mining Threats: A Presentation

On Monday, August 3 at 5:30pm, Kalmiopsis Audubon Society (KAS) President Ann Vileisis will give a slide presentation at the Curry Public Library highlighting the remarkable serpentine landscapes and wild rivers in our public lands backyard that now face renewed nickel strip mining threats. The threat of nickel strip mining in Southwest Oregon’s Kalmiopsis-Wild Rivers Coast area has been growing. Over the past year, foreign-owned mining companies have staked more than 17,000 acres of mining claims in the headwaters and watersheds of our region’s outstanding wild rivers—including the Elk, Rogue, Illinois, Hunter Creek, Pistol River, and Smith River. Meanwhile, recent federal policy changes aimed at expediting domestic mineral production have increased the risks of large-scale mining on local National Forest lands. Come learn what’s at stake, why these places matter to our communities, and what you can do to help protect them. Light refreshments provided. Co-sponsored by Curry Public Library and Kalmiopsis Audubon.