EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 2016
Volume 323
EASTERN OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION MEETING
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting will be Friday, AUGUST 5, 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-
If you own ten or fewer claims, you have completed your assessment work (at least $100 per claim), then it's time to send your small miner waiver into BLM, along with your affidavit of annual assessment work. The waiver is due at the Portland BLM office by the end of August, and there is no cost. By submitting the waiver, you are informing BLM that you will be mining your claims next year.
The affidavit of assessment work must be recorded at the county before you send it to BLM, and recordation must take place before September 1. You can wait to send it to BLM until the end of December, however, there really is no reason to wait. BLM would like to receive the waiver form and the affidavit of annual assessment in the same envelope, as it makes things easier for them. BLM must deal with thousands of waivers and affidavits during August, so if we can make things easier for BLM, there is less chance that your documents will be lost, and this will make life easier for you!
Send your waiver, your county recorded affidavit of annual assessment and a check for $10/claim to Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, P.O. Box 2965, Portland Oregon, 97208. You will find a waiver form and an affidavit of annual assessment form in this newsletter.
MINERS JUBILEE JULY 15, 16, 17 2016-Jan Alexander
This was one of the best Miners Jubilees I have been a part of. Lots of interest in mining from the public. Jim Thurber and Jack Hoffman from Gold Rush came through our booth and visited with miners. The Burnt River 4-H geology girls helped out at the panning tubs, assisting the kids and helping them learn to pan. There were some great items to bid on at the silent auction, and we thank all of you who donated items. One miner in particular, Leon Dale, donated pumps, a highbanker/dredge combination, as well as other sought after items. It was a money maker for EOMA. We had a net profit of $1,375.80!
Ashgrove Cement set up just across from us, and they had a great booth. Ashgrove, as most of us know, is the largest mining employer in Baker County, with 107 employees. For the booth, their summer interns constructed two dioramas depicting the mining area and plant site at Durkee. There was also a video and information about the company.
We truly thank Ashgrove for providing the cash prizes for the Oregon State Panning contests.
Kids
1st Place: Cayden Schrader, 1 minute 19 seconds, $30
2nd Place: Ian Brougham, 2 minutes 44 seconds, $20
3rd Place: Athena Bork, 4 minutes 1 second, $10
Amateurs
1st Place: Dakota Martin, 31 seconds, $75
2nd Place: Bart Wood, 38 seconds, $50
3rd Place: Dan Huisman, 1 minute 2 seconds, $25
Professionals
1st Place: Jim Haney, 20 seconds, $125
2nd Place: Dennis Rexroad, 22 seconds, $100
3rd Place: Ed Hardt, 29 seconds, $75
GRANITE CREEK FEIS RECORD OF DECISION (ROD) SIGNED JUNE 17, 2016-Jan Alexander
I spoke to Ian Reed, Ukiah District Ranger, and lead ranger for the Granite Mining Projects EIS, concerning when Plans of Operation could be approved. He informed me that miners have been notified of the 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.
Chris will be retiring in about a month, so before she goes, she wants to get all the plans approved for miners wanting to work this season. The District will be hiring a new Minerals Technician this fall to replace Chris.
BUD PIERCE GAINING ON KATE BROWN FOR GOVERNOR
If we are going to change the mindset of the present political structure in Oregon we must get active in politics. Figure out ways to support Bud Pierce for governor, and work hard to elect responsible legislators. Rural Oregon’s economies, and natural resource use, will further wither under Democratic anti-development leadership. The Democratic party says they are for the common man, but it seems all that they do is take away the common man’s ability to prosper. Regulations upon regulations are passed, none are ever rescinded, and many of the regulations are so complicated that only corporate lawyers can figure them out.
Here is a link to Bud Pierce for Governor Website. http://www.budpierce.com/
"PUT AN END TO FAKE EMERGENCIES" FAILED TO GET ENOUGH SIGNATURES
Unfortunately, IP 49 was unable to qualify for the 2016 November ballot, because not enough people signed the petitions to get this issue on the November ballot.
I think people just did not understand the importance of our being able to vote on whether every bill that the state legislature wants to pass should contain an "emergency" clause. By making these bills "emergencies", the law is implemented immediately and cannot be voted on by the citizens. If the present leadership stays in office, there will be no chance for the people to decide what gun laws should be enacted.
In truth, these bills are rarely "emergencies", it is just a way around having the people decide if a law should be passed. Hopefully, when this issue comes up again, the people of Oregon will unite behind stopping this process.
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 $5 for one ticket or 6 tickets for $25. Send your tickets to EOMA, P.O. Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814.
DID YOU BUY A MINING CLAIM ON EBAY FROM WESTON MILLIGAN?
I have heard from several miners who bought claims on ebay from Mr. Milligan. In talking to BLM in Portland, because he owns 23 claims, the claims he sells cannot be covered with a fee waiver and each of the claims he sells to miners must have fees paid to BLM. The cost is $155 per 20 acre claim. If you do not pay the fees by the end of August, your claims will be forfeited.
Have your affidavit of annual assessment recorded at the county, sign a fee waiver form for next year, and enclose a check in the amount of $165 ($155 for fees and $10 for your claim). Next year you will not need to pay the fees, but this year you must do so.
PLF AND WESTERN MINING ALLIANCE FILED AMICUS BRIEFS-PLF
Pacific Legal Foundation and Western Mining Alliance have filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit case Bohmker v. Oregon. In the brief, we argue that federal mining policy preempts Oregon’s ban on a federally-approved and encouraged mining practice.
Part of having a federalist system of government is deciding which level of government gets final say when federal and state laws conflict over shared subject matter. The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution establishes an easy-to-apply tie-breaker: the federal government wins. Although fans of individual liberty are probably well-past tired of hearing that phrase, the Supremacy Clause serves an essential function and our system of government would be a mess without it. In addition to making our two-level government possible, federal supremacy protects individual rights when state governments turn predatory.
For example, the Supremacy Clause protects individuals and businesses from the no-win situation in which conflicting state and federal regulations make it impossible not to break the law. In those cases, state laws are preempted by federal law. Likewise, federal supremacy ensures that, in some fields of regulation, Congress can prevent the states from adding another layer of potentially costly and repetitive regulation onto the backs of individuals and businesses toiling in a regulated industry. Federal supremacy also means that when the federal government authorizes you to do something, a state can’t prohibit you from doing it.
Apparently, that’s news to Oregon. For nearly 150 years, federal law has expressly encouraged the “free and open” exploration for and extraction of valuable minerals from federal lands. Although the Supreme Court has confirmed that states may address the environmental side-effects of mining on federal land within their boundaries, states still cannot ban mining on federal land or pass laws significantly obstructing the objectives of federal mining laws. Regardless, Oregon passed a law prohibiting the use of all motorized mining equipment in its rivers and streams. The goal of Oregon’s law was to outlaw “suction dredging,” the only profitable method of mining gold from streambed deposits. Suction dredging uses a small, lawn mower-sized motor and an underwater vacuum hose to suck up and filter gold out of streambed sediment. Federal law allows it—encourages it, even. But if suction dredging remains outlawed under Oregon’s law, all of Oregon’s streambed gold will stay right where it is, and a lot of miners will be out of a job and will lose the value of their mining claims.
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION ALSO FILED AMICUS BRIEF
FEDERAL AGENCIES OVERSTEPPING THEIR AUTHORITY-Greg Walden, US Representative, Oregon's 2nd District
Time after time, federal agencies are overstepping their authority and rewriting and reinterpreting laws passed by Congress. From the EPA’s overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rules, to the miles of red tape you’ll encounter dealing with the IRS, the rules and regulations coming from these runaway federal agencies can pose serious problems for Oregonians.
That said, we cannot allow our country to continue moving further away from the balance of powers the Constitution’s framers intended. You’ll be glad to know that the U.S. House recently passed, with my strong support, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act (H.R. 4768). This legislation ensures that the power to write law remains within the Legislative branch, while interpreting law remains with the Judiciary.
The bill overturns the 1984 Supreme Court decision Chevron USA v. NRDC, which determined that courts can defer to agencies’ “reasonable” interpretation of laws. More than three decades later, agencies frequently leverage the “Chevron doctrine” as a means of escaping judiciary and legislative review for the laws they choose to implement. The Separation of Powers Restoration Act stops this dangerous trend and ensures that the executive branch follows the Constitution and respects the role of Congress and the courts.
Moving forward, you can be sure I will continue to oppose unnecessary federal overreach at every turn. I will be sure to keep you updated on my efforts.
It’s an honor to represent you in the U.S. Congress
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.
NEED HELP AT YOUR MINE?-(1)
I am recently retired, a hard worker and want to learn more about mining. I can help you get your assessment work done, or assist in the mining operation. I am not looking for money, I am looking for experience. I have my own truck and camper, and am self sufficient. Call Ray at 541-892-0933 and leave message or phone contact number.
BUY GOLD -(0)
Want to buy raw gold, looking for a couple of ounces. Contact Bob Sunderman at 541-962-5202.
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