From the Native Fish Society: Mining companies want to develop nickel strip mines in the pristine headwaters of the Wild and Scenic Smith and Illinois Rivers in southwest Oregon. Nearby Hunter Creek and Pistol River are also threatened! These watersheds are home to wild, native fish including salmon, steelhead, pacific lamprey, eulachon and sturgeon.
What’s at stake?
The threatened area includes the headwaters of three national Wild and Scenic River that serve as vital strongholds for wild, native fish. Hunter Creek, and Pistol and Illinois River are free of any hatchery salmonids, making them increasingly important as protectors of diverse and unique salmon and steelhead genetics.
Join Native Fish Society at the Patagonia – Portland store tonight (Thursday 9/17/15) to celebrate the wild rivers and places of the Kalmiopsis in Southwest Oregon. This event is free and doors open at 7:00 pm. Ninkasi sponsored the event, so you know the beers will be great.
Presentations will focus on the importance of the Kalmiopsis and ways you can help to protect its wild rivers from the threat of industrial open-pit nickel mining.
