EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
OCTPBER 2018
Volume 349
EASTERN OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION MEETING
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting is Friday, OCTOBER 5TH 2018 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. As usual there will be a drawing for a $50 silver medallion at the meeting!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“Fire Season”-The fire waiver process needs work. All of our equipment works in a cleared area, we have three ponds full of water, a cat, a backhoe, water pumps, shovels, pulaskies, fire extinguishers. Even with all that water available with pumps already hooked up and with additional fire hose available, the Forest Service would not issue me a waiver to work unless I had 300 gallons of water mounted on a trailer with another pump and firehose. The FS used to inspect mine operations and issue waivers for firesafe sites. In recent years the FS ignored our request for a waiver. This year the FS fire manager did come and look at our site. We are making progress?
Our combined interests are really in preventing fire starts, and I don’t think requiring a mobile 300 gallons on a trailer that you would have to hook up and chase after a fire that has started and gone off site is a good solution. IFPL regulations were designed mainly for logging operations where machinery is traveling through dry wooded and grassy areas and a fire could be started somewhere where a mobile source of water would be helpful. Placer mining is a completely different type of operation, and ordinarily takes place in a vegetation free area. Mitigations, such as clearing vegetation around stationary machinery to prevent fire from spreading, make more sense than a portable water source. Hopefully we can have a conversation with FS fire management people and convince them it is reasonable to issue fire waivers to mining operations that are firesafe.
AQUATIC RESTORATION UMATILLA, WALLOWA WHITMAN, MALHEUR N.F-Chuck Chase.
All miners out there need to be aware of the plans to conduct work on the streams in your area and on your mining claims. I would urge you not to sign away your rights if the work proposed will impact your mining operation now, or in the future.
Although we don’t have a problem with the Forest Service planned stream restoration to help restore fish runs, we need to remind them that the miners control any disturbance below the surface of the claim outside of the stream bed and banks and off channel ponds. The Forest Service restoration can take place within the beds and the banks within these mining claim areas, but work outside the stream itself, may “materially interfere” with present and future mineral extraction. The dredge tailings contain fine gold and other minerals and these also belong to the claim holder. Access into and from these claims must not be damaged, including bridges, fords or roads. If hardened fords are removed, then a bridge or other suitable creek crossing needs to be provided.
I still remember the Granite Creek restoration that we tried to help them facilitate years ago. Upon completion, the area was withdrawn from mineral entry. There were heavy restrictions on existing mining claims within the restoration project. Now it is an Umatilla tribe fishery stream where they gaff, net and snag the salmon before the fish get a chance to spawn.
COALITION OF COUNTIES WITH GREG WALDEN-Chuck Chase
It was a good meeting and well attended. Congressman Walden got an ear full! Five counties were represented. The main concern was Forest Service mismanagement. Complaints were made about the down-fall timber rotting on the ground, some of it 48 inches on the base or better, the ladder fuels causing catastrophic fires, no logging sales, no or only partial salvage of burned timber. Complaints also centered on cattlemen driven off the forest grazing allotments by the Forest Service attempting to raise the stubble height on grazing.
Walden was reminded that the Forest Service wouldn't coordinate (which is the law) with the counties over the Blue Mountain Revision Forest Plan which will be implemented shortly. At stake are thousands of miles of road closures, raising stubble height for grazers, large de-facto do-nothing areas or additions to wilderness areas surrounding exiting wilderness, using an aquatic wild life plan no one had ever seen before, to stop uses on miles of Forest streams.
Greg said that the House put together a Farm Bill that would take care of a lot our problems, but it got lost in the Senate back-log of bills sent by the House of Representatives. I reminded Walden as he left, to be sure to tell his boss that he wasn't writing near enough Presidential Orders.
ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH MINING – mineralsmakelife.org
The U.S. minerals mining industry supports more than 1.2 million jobs. A U.S. metal mining job is one of the highest paying in the private sector, with an average annual salary of $88,000 in 2015 and often climbing into the six figures for experienced workers. Prospects for those entering the field today are bright, as it is estimated that every metal mining job generates 3.5 additional jobs elsewhere in the economy, and every nonmetal mining job generates 2.6 additional jobs.
ESSENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF MINERALS – mineralsmakelife.org
Minerals and metals are essential, irreplaceable components of modern technology. Take just one metal—platinum—as an example. Used in more than 20 percent of all manufactured goods, platinum helps make countless products we use every day possible, including personal computers, flat-screen TVs, hybrid cars and lifesaving medical devices. The list of minerals critical to the manufacture of the technologies we rely on is endless.
MINERALS AND NATIONAL DEFENSE – mineralsmakelife.org
Access to minerals is crucial for a more secure America. Minerals are the basic components that make up the technologies protecting our nation.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Defense uses 750,000 tons of minerals like copper, beryllium, aluminum and uranium in an array of military functions from the obvious to the unseen. For instance, because of copper’s ability to resist corrosion, it is critical to the production of military vehicles like aircrafts, army tanks and naval vessels. Beryllium, which is six times stronger than steel, yet lighter than aluminum, is often used to enhance the speed of fighter jets and is critical to U.S. surveillance technology, due to its ability to easily conduct heat. Additionally, aluminum is a key structural component in aircrafts thanks to its unique strength-to-weight ratio and anti-corrosive properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL SPENDING IN THE WEST – Western Wire
As green groups gear up to spend record setting amounts during the 2018 campaign season, new research is shedding light on the billions of dollars being distributed by 10 national organizations to fund non-profit environmental initiatives, including more than $100 million spent in the West over the past decade.
This week, the Institute for Energy Research debuted a new tool entitled, “Big Green, Inc.,” which tracks donations made by environmental organizations between the years of 2008-2016. The tool compiles information from publicly available 990 tax return records to create a searchable database.
Those records show that the 10 featured environmental organizations distributed a total of $3.7 billion to more than 1,500 environmental activist groups in all 50 states.
UPDATE TO “TELL SONNY PURDUE”-Ken Alexander
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue has made it very easy to tell him what you think. Unfortunately, the link in the last newsletter is no longer valid and was changed. The new address is; https://www.usda.gov/ or you can go directly to Sonny’s page by using this link: https://www.usda.gov/tellsonny
Thanks to those who took the time to write Sonny Purdue and tell him of the problems we have had with the Forest Service. Recently, there have been some changes made in Forest Service job positions. Time will tell whether there is a change in attitude toward users of the National Forests.
NEW REGIONAL FORESTER GLENN CASAMASSA
USDA Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen announced the appointment of Glenn Casamassa as the regional forester for the Pacific Northwest Region, effective September 17. As regional forester, Casamassa will oversee management of 16 National Forests, two National Scenic Areas, a National Grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments within the states of Oregon and Washington.
“As a Forest Service veteran for more than 30 years, Glenn brings with him tremendous land management and conservation leadership experiences from a ranger district to the Washington Office,” said Christiansen. “He, among other achievements, has played a leading role in the ongoing national regulatory reform efforts.” More can be read about his background, on this site: https://www.fs.fed.us/news/releases/forest-service-interim-chief-announces-new-regional-forester-pacific-northwest-region
SONNY PERDUE REMOVES OBSTACLE TO MINERAL EXPLORATION
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has removed a major obstacle to mineral leasing in Minnesota, through the cancellation of an application which has blocked mineral exploration in the Rainy River Watershed. Interested companies now may soon be able to lease minerals in the watershed in the Superior National Forest. Over the last 15 months the Forest Service conducted a thorough review on this issue and listened to thousands of citizens. Based on this review the USDA Forest Service cancelled the application for the Rainy River Watershed Withdrawal.
"It’s our duty as responsible stewards of our environment to maintain and protect our natural resources. At the same time, we must put our national forests to work for the taxpayers to support local economies and create jobs," Perdue said. "We can do these two things at once: protect the integrity of the watershed and contribute to economic growth and stronger communities."
UMATILLA HAS A NEW DISTRICT RANGER AND FOREST SUPERVISOR-Jan
The new District Ranger for the North Fork District is Paula Guenther, the new Forest Supervisor is Eric Quatrue. I have talked to Eric on the phone, and Alice Knapp and I met with Paula out on her claims. These people want to work with the miners and want to solve problems. A breath of fresh air for those of us who have to work on the Wallowa-Whitman. I tried to find some information on the new Baker District Ranger but couldn’t get any information.
FOREST SERVICE TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT OF MINERALS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service published Advance Notices announcing its plan to revise two parts of the agency’s regulations. The Forest Service seeks public comment on its work to improve outdated and inefficient regulations for locatable minerals and oil and gas resources on national forest lands.
“This is one of many efforts that our agency is undertaking to focus on our priority of regulatory reform,” said interim Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “Our goal is to make our processes as simple and efficient as possible while ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
In fiscal year 2017, over $1.2 billion dollars’ worth of oil and gas were produced from National Forest System lands, resulting in payments to local, state and federal governments of approximately $145 million, creating significant value for many communities. Outdated regulations are still a barrier however. For example, there is a backlog of nearly 2,000 pending Expressions of Interest in leasing oil and gas on about 2 million acres. Updated regulations and procedures are needed to ensure the Forest Service and stakeholders have an efficient process to support local economies and protect and conserve valuable environmental resources.
Locatable minerals produced from National Forest System lands are important for medical and infrastructure development as well as cars and common household items, including appliances, smart phones, and computers. Forest Service economists estimate that the revenue generated from mining locatable minerals topped $1 billion in 2016 and supported more than 1,500 direct and 5,500 indirect jobs. “We want to strengthen communities and provide jobs,” said Christiansen. “At the same time, we are committed to protecting water supplies, supporting aquatic and wildlife habitat, and ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.”
The public has until October 15, 2018 to comment on two Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register. One notice addresses locatable minerals and the other oil and gas resources. Instructions about how to comment are included in the Federal Register notices: 36 CFR part 228 subpart A (link is external) and 36 CFR part 228, subpart E (link is external).
EAST EAGLE CREEK BRIDGE UPDATE-Jan Alexander
Good news! The Forest Service agrees that the Hudson (East Eagle) road is RS2477 and thus, the bridge is a county bridge. And the best part, the bridge will stay. Hanley Engineering inspected the bridge and recommended some repairs to the foundation. The County has on hand all materials that will be needed. A local equipment operator will do the work of temporarily moving the bridge, doing the repairs, and putting the bridge back in place. Bill Harvey and Mark Bennett, working through every step of this process with Tom Montoya, Forest Supervisor, are to be congratulated for achieving this agreement with the Forest Service.
2018 EOMA SILVER MEDALLIONS FOR SALE
We still have 2018 medallions available. They 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. Also, you can buy them at our EOMA meetings.
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EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
For Sale In Boise
1. Multi Quip 3/8 yard cement mixer Model MC-94P with Honda 8 hp motor. It has a polyurethane drum and is on a single axel for easy towing. It is an ex Home Depot rental unit. Asking $1,500.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
2. Syntron Magnetic Vibrator Model V-50-01. This is a fairly husky unit that bolts on to bine, chutes where material being fed does not flow smoothly. I used it to move material out of bins and chutes. It is single phase and draws 4.5 amps.
3. Krebs Hydrocyclones, 1 Model D4 and 1 Model D6, which I used to thicken my fine tailings. I have specs and installation instructions from Krebs. Asking $250.00 each. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
4. Portable 2 inch Water pump with 3.5hp Honda gas engine. $100.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
5. Sample Splitters, one with 22 slots, 3/4 inch wide, @ $150.00; and one with 12 slots, 5/8 inch wide, @$100.00.
6. Transformer,480/240/120 volt, 3phase or single phase. $150.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
7. S+S Controls Heavy Duty Motor Starter, 3 phase, 480 /220 volt. Rated for motor horsepower up to 55 horse. $350.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
8. Wilden 1 1/2 inch Chemical Solution Polyethylene Pump Model M4/Pt/Tf/Tf/Pt s/n 364361. New condition, never used. Air driven. $500.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882
9. Onan 75kw Generator, older but with very low hours. Recently installed updated exciter circuit. $6,500.00. Call Jack at 208-284-5882 .
FOR SALE: BURNT BRIDGE CLAIM
This 20 Acre claim is located on the North Fork of the Burnt River in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Burnt River Road runs parallel to the river from one end of the claim to the other offering excellent access to the river and campsite. Claim contains over ¼ mile of river open to dredging. Copies of approved 2017 DEQ permit 600 PM and 2017 DEQ 700 PM (4” suction dredge) available. This claim is for sale for $2500. Contact Joe Toce email: toceja@hotmail.com
OPPORTUNITY
Looking for someone mechanically inclined to learn and run a hard rock gold mill. One may be available for scrap price. Time to pass on the technology and know-how. Need a younger working partner and gold ore to run. Dr. Thom: tseal@unr.edu
FOR SALE
Ed Hardt is selling his placer mining equipment. Ed's trommel is 20 feet long, 5 feet in diameter, gear driven, positive drive. It will process up to 100 yards a day, will not slip or spin out. Also, one three-inch pump, a two-inch pump, two and three inch flat hose, and a generator. Call 541-377-9209 or email Ed at twohardts@hotmail.com. Price for all is $15,000.
FOR SALE
Patsy and Randy Stockam are moving to Alabama in the next few months and have some mining equipment to sell. A Gold Grabber Highbanker with pump and hose. Asking $600.00. Text Patsy at 541-786-1080 if you are interested.
GOLD CLAIMS FOR SALE (3)
5 unpatented placer claims (160 acres) located on Elk Creek near Baker City.
Sale includes all equipment (2 excavators, dump truck, trommel, pumps, generators, etc).
Site was featured on the cover of ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal (August 2014).
Approved Plan of Operation with US Forest Service in place and can be transferred (expires 2021)
DEQ process permit goes with the sale of the claims. For price, pictures and details, call Don Enright, 509-860-1145 or email: donaldenright25@gmail.com
FOR SALE TWO 80 ACRE ASSOCIATION PLACER CLAIMS (5)
Because of health reasons, we are selling our two 80 acre Association Placer Claims. These two claims are the last two claims on the top end of Elk Creek, a short distance from Baker City. A road goes through most of it. Sell for $7,000 each, will take gold, silver or will sell for a lesser price for cash. Call Ken at 541-519-9497 or Chuck at 541-310-8510.
NATIVE SPIRIT 60 ACRE CLAIM FOR SALE
This claim is located on McCully Creek on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest just west of the town of Sumpter. Good access, off-channel water is available for processing. DEQ process permit goes with the sale of the claim. Plan of Operation is scheduled to be approved for 2019 work. Call Charles Stewart at 541-910-5435 for more information.
CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE
Wanted: Full time caretaker for remote property about 20 miles from John Day, Oregon. Primitive, well insulated house, wood heat only, good water from spring. Off the grid, power from gas generator if needed. ¼ mile level driveway off county maintained road. Must have own chain saw, 4 x 4 vehicle with chains, cut own firewood, and help with chores. Inquire by e-mail (tseal@unr.edu) or by mail to Caretaker, PO Box 8353, Spring Creek, NV 89815.
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