Amador County – Before a packed chamber Tuesday, the Amador County Board of Supervisors voiced their unanimous disapproval of legislation that indefinitely bans suction gold dredge mining in California until an environmental review determines how much harm the practice has on salmon runs. Senate Bill 670 is seen as a victory for many Indian tribes, California salmon fishermen and environmental groups who pressed the bill authored by Senator Patricia Wiggins. During public comment, a steady line of dredging supporters urged the Supervisors to oppose SB 670, which they say will ruin the full or part-time livelihood of an undetermined number of Gold Country residents. Amador County resident Jim Taylor said mining is not a privilege but rather a right granted under 1872 mining laws. “If this moratorium is not lifted, I fully intend to continue mining and conduct a little civil disobedience,” he said to cheers and applause. Neil Dixon, a 30-year employee of the historic Roaring Camp Mining Company, a local tourist draw, said dredging is no longer an issue on the Mokelumne River because salmon don’t spawn there anymore. The Supervisors echoed the sentiments of the crowd in attendance. “Mother nature does a million times more in one day than a dredge does, so (this ban) doesn’t make much sense to me,” said District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano. District 5 Supervisor and Board Chairman Brian Oneto made an analogy comparing U.S. environmental regulations to communist oppression in Eastern Europe. District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster urged the Board seek support against the ban from Amador County representatives Alyson Huber in the Assembly and Dave Cox in the Senate. “As far as I’m concerned…there are no deleterious impacts on the environment or the fish,” he said. Forster moved to authorize a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asking him to repeal Senate Bill 670. He added that he would also like copies sent to the Regional Council of Rural Counties asking them for action on the item. Boitano said they should also send copies of their letter to all the counties in the Motherlode. The motion was approved unanimously. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – Before a packed chamber Tuesday, the Amador County Board of Supervisors voiced their unanimous disapproval of legislation that indefinitely bans suction gold dredge mining in California until an environmental review determines how much harm the practice has on salmon runs. Senate Bill 670 is seen as a victory for many Indian tribes, California salmon fishermen and environmental groups who pressed the bill authored by Senator Patricia Wiggins. During public comment, a steady line of dredging supporters urged the Supervisors to oppose SB 670, which they say will ruin the full or part-time livelihood of an undetermined number of Gold Country residents. Amador County resident Jim Taylor said mining is not a privilege but rather a right granted under 1872 mining laws. “If this moratorium is not lifted, I fully intend to continue mining and conduct a little civil disobedience,” he said to cheers and applause. Neil Dixon, a 30-year employee of the historic Roaring Camp Mining Company, a local tourist draw, said dredging is no longer an issue on the Mokelumne River because salmon don’t spawn there anymore. The Supervisors echoed the sentiments of the crowd in attendance. “Mother nature does a million times more in one day than a dredge does, so (this ban) doesn’t make much sense to me,” said District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano. District 5 Supervisor and Board Chairman Brian Oneto made an analogy comparing U.S. environmental regulations to communist oppression in Eastern Europe. District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster urged the Board seek support against the ban from Amador County representatives Alyson Huber in the Assembly and Dave Cox in the Senate. “As far as I’m concerned…there are no deleterious impacts on the environment or the fish,” he said. Forster moved to authorize a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asking him to repeal Senate Bill 670. He added that he would also like copies sent to the Regional Council of Rural Counties asking them for action on the item. Boitano said they should also send copies of their letter to all the counties in the Motherlode. The motion was approved unanimously. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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