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High Desert Mining and Geothermal Development Issues

High Desert Chair: Anne Mitchell

Mining

Fifteen years ago, southeastern Oregon was the focus of a mini “gold rush,” and literally hundreds of mining claims cropped up on and around the Owyhee Canyonlands, Steens Mountain, and elsewhere. Low gold prices led to a lull in potential gold exploration here, but as prices have rebounded, we could see large swaths of Southeast Oregon torn up in the quest for gold.

Gold mining in the Owyhee Canyonlands area would rely on the cyanide heap leach process, which results in massive, permanent open pits and acres of chemically-poisoned mining tailings. Runoff from such tailings and settling ponds will undoubtedly enter streams. Such damage is all but impossible to repair and the danger to watersheds and watertables undoubtedly catastrophic.

The State already warns people against eating fish caught in the Owyhee Reservoir due to high levels of toxins, likely a result of historic mining in the upper watershed. One only has to look at states such as neighboring Nevada to see the permanant damage caused by this type of mining.

Geothermal Development

During the early 1990s, the Alvord Basin and its unique ecosystem immediately adjacent to Steens Mountain was the site of active geothermal leases and exploratory drilling. This geothermal development is currently prohibited, thanks in part to conservationists’ strong opposition to the project. While there has been less geothermal exploration in the Owyhee country, the area does have thermal hot spots. While geothermal energy sources are seen as a clean energy soruce, such development is not compatible with wilderness values.

The Conservationist’s Solution

Permanent Protection - Steens Mountain Cooperative Management Area Act of 2000 contained language intented to permanently withdraw the area from mining and geothermal leasing, thus eliminating these potential threats. However, threats from mining continue to exist for much of Oregon’s High Desert and especially the threat of cyanide heap leach mining in the Owyhee Canyonlands. Wilderness and other protective designations could provide the political support for permanant withdrawal of mineral leasing in the area, but it is important that such a withdrawal cover the ecoregion, not just areas with special designation.

Take Action Now!

Thank your congressional representative for their support in protecting Steens-Alvord and encourage them to provide permanent protection for additional wilderness on Steens as well as other areas such as the Owyhee Canyonlands.

Please contact: Senator Wyden to thank him for his efforts.