EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2016
Volume 324
EASTERN OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION MEETING
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting will be Friday, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 at the Baker City Hall. The building is located at 1st and Auburn Streets in Baker City. The Board meeting starts at 6:00 PM. The general meeting starts at 6:30 PM.
Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. There is time for discussing mining and getting to know other miners. The mining season is underway and some people are mining. There should be a story or two. As usual there will be a drawing for a $50 silver medallion at the meeting!
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT-
When you read the California Supreme Court Decision in the Rinehart case, it is evident that miners will have an increasingly difficult time getting a fair shake out of the court system. What this says to me is, if you have an approved Plan of Operation, this is the time to be mining. If you haven't posted bond yet for operations in the North Fork Burnt River or Granite Creek areas, you need to get this done. Yes, fall is coming and the mining season will soon be over, but if you wait until next spring, it may be too late.
Once your Plan of Operation is approved by the Forest Service, they cannot just arbitrarily void it. If you wait, the Forest Service can simply inform you that things have changed in the watershed and more analysis is needed before your Plan can be approved.
GRANITE CREEK FEIS RECORD OF DECISION (ROD) SIGNED JUNE 17, 2016-Jan Alexander
Miners in the Granite Watershed, who have Plans of Operation ready to be approved, need to contact Chris Helberg if they are ready to sign the stipulations (Exhibit A) and post bond. Chris can be reached at 541-427-3231. She is compiling Exhibit A and calculating bonds on a first come first served basis.
BUD PIERCE GAINING ON KATE BROWN FOR GOVERNOR
Oregon cannot tolerate the next four years with Kate Brown as governor. We have a real choice with Bud Pierce. His website states under the heading BLM and Rural Land Issues: The federal government, through agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), manage over 60 percent of Oregon’s public lands. Unfortunately for Oregon, Uncle Sam has not been a good neighbor to our rural citizens.
With advances in technology, it is possible to utilize natural resources for economic gain in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. In fact, by using Oregon’s lumber with emerging new technologies such as cross-laminate timber, we can reduce CO2 emissions while providing jobs and industry to more working Oregonians. At one time, rural Harney County was one of the most prosperous areas in the state because of a natural resources based economy. Today, because of mismanagement by the federal government through agencies such the BLM and Environmental the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), our rural citizens of Oregon are impoverished and in economic crisis. Current mismanagement of Oregon’s public lands is failing Oregon, and it is time for change. Local residents are often the best stewards of our land, and government closest to the people is most responsive to the people.
As Governor of Oregon, Bud Pierce has stated that he will fight to take back our public lands from Federal mismanagement and for more state and local control, including going to court if necessary. Bud Pierce will also work with officials in Federal Government to curb those particularly egregious EPA regulations that harm our economy and local citizens while having inconsequential impact on our environment. Here is a link to Bud Pierce for Governor Website. http://www.budpierce.com/
ED BECHTEL WILL BE HUNTING SOME WILEY ELK
Long time miner and friend Ed Bechtel will be in the area bow hunting next month. No one would be surprised if he also was doing a little prospecting at the same time. We missed Ed and Jackie at Miners Jubilee this year. According to Ed, his health is improving and he's ready to get back to the mountains.
1/2 POUND OF GOLD DRAWING
The Western Culture Conservancy, headed by Kerby Jackson, has now taken over sponsorship of the drawing for 1/2 pound of gold. In the last two newsletters, we listed Galice and Waldo Mining Districts as the sponsors. The change was made because Western Culture Conservancy is a nonprofit corporation, while Galice and Waldo were not. If you already bought tickets, they are safely in the box and eligible for the drawings.
Besides the drawing for the gold, there will also be drawings for all kinds of mining equipment. The proceeds from ticket sales will go to help pay legal fees for several law suits which are critical to keeping Oregon miners mining. The preliminary drawing will be held December 2, 2016, when several prizes will be given away. The final drawing for 1/2 pound of gold will be held on June 2, 2017. You do not need to be present to win!
CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULES IN RINEHART CASE- Pacific Legal Foundation
The California Supreme Court has issued its long-awaited decision in People v. Rinehart, concerning the legality of the state’s ban on suction dredge mining. The case concerns an apparent conflict between federal law, which encourages mining on federal lands, and the state’s ban against the only practicable method of mining stream bed claims. Despite the conflict, the Court denied the federal Mining Act any preemptive effect, essentially holding that states are free to frustrate or prohibit mining willy-nilly, no matter how obviously that may frustrate federal policy.
The decision is disappointing, not least because it squarely conflicts with existing precedent, including a decision from the Supreme Court of the United States. As our amicus brief explained, the Supreme Court’s Granite Rock decision, held that states retain some authority to regulate the environmental impacts of mining, notwithstanding the federal policy in favor of it. But, if states go too far, by overregulating or banning mining in lieu of regulating it, that would be preempted. The California Supreme Court’s decision also conflicts with South Dakota Mining Association. In that case, the Eighth Circuit held that the Mining Act preempted a county’s ban on a mining method because it rendered mining commercially impracticable, in clear conflict with federal law’s encouragement of the activity.
California’s position in this case was significantly undermined by the fact that, although federal law leaves it ample room to regulate mining’s impact, it chose to simply ban mining outright instead.
EPA FAST TRACKING NEW HARDROCK MINING RULES-NMA
The EPA is fast tracking new rules for the hardrock mining industry that ignore modern mining practices and duplicate existing federal and state programs. These rules are intended to assess the risk of potential hazardous substance releases and estimate the cost for cleanup. Ultimately, these new rules will require companies to set aside tens of millions of dollars of capital in the form of financial assurances to cover these costs.
But the EPA's rule just doesn't make sense, since mining companies have already set aside billions of dollars in financial guarantees to ensure operations will not leave an environmental liability for the taxpayer. The EPA’s new regulatory efforts will just create new barriers for an already strained industry and stifle future mineral development.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries for 2016, the estimated value of raw materials mined domestically in 2015 totaled $78.3 billion. Additionally, minerals mining employs more than 400,000 people. In an industry plagued by redundant regulatory hurdles, additional rules must be considered carefully. The EPA proposal does not take into account existing state and federal programs that are designed to eliminate or significantly reduce the same environmental risks the EPA wants to cover under its own rule. To make things worse, it appears that the EPA's formula for estimating the costs of the rule relies on data that exaggerates the risk at existing modern mining projects.
EOMA STAMP MILL HAS A NEW HOME IN HAINES-Chuck Chase
EOMA's antique stamp mill, which has been a star attraction during Miners Jubilee for many years, has been donated to the City of Haines for their mining park. Mayor Jim Brown was excited to have an operating stamp mill for the city. The mill still crushes ore, and it can be operated at city events. The mill has been a great addition to our EOMA mining booth, and to the Miners Jubilee parade, but the effort of moving it and finding a place to store it when it was not being used, has been difficult.
NEWS OF CONCERN ABOUT PLP- Sudhin Thanawala
Please note our new mailing address:
Public Lands for the People
23501 Burbank Bl.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
The address change was necessary because of actions by Ray Kender and other former board members.
On July 14, 2016, the PLP Board received resignation letters from four of our board members:
Ray Kender, resigned Secretary
Barry Wetherby, resigned Director
Pat Keene, resigned Director
Duane Platz, resigned Recording Secretary.
On July 21, 2016, a meeting was held at Keene Engineering, unannounced to the Board or to PLP members, and an election was held that supposedly removed the current board members and supposedly placed Ray Kender as interim President. It appears all resigned board members were present. PLP was not informed about the meeting or about the election. Improper exercise of corporate authority was evident, authority which Mr. Kender did not, and does not possess.
The current Board of Directors has taken steps to ensure that the funds of PLP are preserved, by filing a corrected Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State. Unfortunately, because of Mr. Kender’s actions and our attempts to regain access, PLP’s bank accounts have been frozen. This jeopardizes all of our pending legal actions, including our lawsuit against the state over the suction dredge ban, our defense in deferral court of John Godfrey (cited for using a sluice box in a stream), and support for the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) and our newest defense of a suction dredger from the EPA in Idaho.
The PLP Board is an all-volunteer board and we are proud of the progress that PLP has made in the past. We will continue to fight on your behalf in the future! We will give you updates as soon as possible.
GRANT COUNTY LAWSUIT OVER SB838 MOVED TO FEDERAL COURT
On Friday, the state removed our case against SB838's prohibition of mining, from Grant County Circuit Court to Federal Court. It has been assigned to magistrate Patricia Sullivan.
Because SB838 prohibits not only suction dredge mining, but also upland mining within 100 yards of ESH or bull trout waterways, it is different from the Rinehart case, which only pertained to suction dredge mining. We are hopeful of a different decision on our case, since upland miners do not impact fish or water quality.
SELLING TICKETS ON MINELAB METAL DETECTOR
Leon Dale has donated a Minelab SD 2200-D metal detector, with discrimination, to EOMA, and we will be selling chances for you to win this detector. This is a complete set up. It comes with a battery, a spare battery, a large and a small head, a carrying case, belt, pick holder and a complete charging package. Also included are the instruction books. I checked on ebay and there is a similar unit for $2,500.
We will pick the winner of this detector at the December EOMA meeting. It would make the perfect Christmas present for the miner in your life (which might just be yourself!). You do not need to be present to win. We are selling tickets for $1 for one ticket or 6 tickets for $5. See the tickets attached to this newsletter. Send your tickets to EOMA, P.O. Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814
EOMA SILVER MEDALLIONS
EOMA medallions are beautiful proof grade one ounce silver medallions with the addition of real gold “nuggets” in the pan. We still have a limited supply of previous year's medallions, as well as the gorgeous 2016 medallions. These are currently selling for $50.00 apiece plus $5.00 shipping, handling, and insurance. (Prices are subject to change). You can order yours from the EOMA website, and pay by pay-pal. Or, you can send $50 plus $5.00 shipping and handling to EOMA, Medallions, PO Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814, or call 541-523-3285.
VISIT EOMA'S AND OMA FACEBOOK PAGES
Eastern Oregon Mining Association now has a Facebook page. For those of you who use Facebook, check it out. There is a step by step photo display of a couple of miners who are building trommels. Sign in, and come learn, add your suggestions, and get to know other miners.
https://www.facebook.com/easternoregonminingassociation/
There is also a Facebook page for Oregon Mining Association. Lots of useful information can be found on these sites. It is not hard to become a user of Facebook once you get used to the idea that Facebook “friends” can have a little different meaning than what you may have thought of as “friends” as you were growing up. Facebook certainly gives you the opportunity to share info not found in the mainstream media.
https://www.facebook.com/OregonMiningAssociation/
EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
The advertising listings are only $1 per month to get your ad listed below. Send your ad to: EOMA, Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814 along with your remittance for each month you want us to run your ad. The number next to your ad is how many months your ad has run.
BIG HORSE CUSTOMS-MSHA CERTIFIED, READY TO WORK ON YOUR EQUIPMENT (4)
Big Horse Customs has experienced heavy equipment mechanics, a mobile service truck and we can do your welding, fabrication and repairs. Call Sam at 541-519-5751 or 541-519-8196.
TWO 20 ACRE PLACER CLAIMS FOR SALE
These claims are located on Bullrun Creek, downstream of the Record Mine. The price is $30,000 and includes the trommel, conveyor, and generator in a cabover van truck with sliding door. A Plan of Operation has been submitted to the Forest Service. There is plenty of water and a good processing site. In 1940-1941, 2,161 ounces of gold and 253 ounces of silver were recovered from these claims, and from the adjacent private land, according to the State Department of Geology. If you are interested, call Ray Andrews at 541-446-3449.
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FOR SALE M35A2 Army truck w /mounted 10" x 26" reconditioned Austin-Western jaw crusher and new 50 HP Kohler gas driver; discharge classifier. Used Kamflex elevator feeding new Stuttenroth 2tph impact mill & new 18 HP clutched Honda gas driver w/ classifying variable speed vibratory discharge feeder, all with approx. 12 hrs use. $40,000 (includes powder magazine below).
POWDER MAGAZINE New ATF approved 17" x 24"W x 48'L powder magazine (1/2" thick. Steel, plywood lined) 800 lb. w/ dolly.
FLOTATION SYSTEM Enclosed trailer mounted flotation system; 8 rebuilt DECO # 5 sub-A float cells plumbed in 4 sets of pairs in series, varispeed paddle system. Onan 10kw generator, 2 new 35 gal. gas tanks, new 29 gal 150 psi compressor w/ air system plumbed for 120, 90, & 15 psi, 1000 lb electric hoist. Outrigger stabilization jacks for leveling in the field, 1/8" containment deck, new tires, 384 watts of fluor. lights. $14,000.00
Contact Alan Rathmacher, (208) 521-3649 or alanrathmacher@gmail.com photos available
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