EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
DECEMBER 2017
Volume 339
EASTERN OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION MEETING
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting will be Friday, DECEMBER 1st, 2017 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!
DRAWING FOR THE Hi-BANKER IS AT THIS MEETING! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
In the back of this newsletter, you will find tickets for a Keene highbanker, which was donated to EOMA by Thomas Adams of LaGrande to be used as a fundraiser. Tickets are one for $1.00 and 6 for $5.00. The drawing for this piece of equipment will be on December 1, 2017 at the EOMA meeting in Baker City. You do not need to be present to win.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
When you review the proposed Blue Mountain Forest plan revision, here are a couple of quotes from the “1905 Use Book” spelling out the promises made to the people on how the forest reserves (now called National Forests) were actually to be managed when they were reserved.
“The timber, water, pasture, mineral, and other resources of the forest reserves are for the use of the people; They may be obtained under reasonable conditions, without delay; Legitimate improvements and business enterprises will be encouraged. Forest reserves are open to all persons for all lawful purposes.” Also, “The administration of forest reserves is not for the benefit of the Government, but of the people. The revenue derived from them goes, not into the general fund of the United States, but toward maintaining upon the reserves a force of men organized to serve the public interests. This force has three chief duties: To protect the reserves against fire, to assist the people in their use, and to see that they are properly used.”
LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY-Jan Alexander
I have heard nothing from the Forest Service about the legality of the Limited Power of Attorney forms that miners have submitted designating me as their agent. For sure, any miner having problems with the Forest Service, can send me a copy of their letter or relate to me what they were told over the phone. That is what EOMA is all about-supporting miners and miners’ rights.
Curiously, I did receive one copy of a letter from the Forest Service for a corporation that I wasn’t even agent for. Go figure.
TRUE PLACER BLM PLAN OF OPERATION
The True Placer Plan of Operation is currently out for public comment. Field Manager for the BLM, Lorie Wood, has said she is prepared to approve this plan after all the comments are received.
DON J PLACER BLM PLAN OF OPERATION
I reported in the last newsletter that Lorie Wood, Baker Field Office Manager, was prepared to sign the Don Jay Mining EA and send it out for public comments. Actually, it was the True Placer that she was referring to. So, I am not sure where the Don J Plan is. BLM has stated that they will produce one EA every year, but they are falling behind, since no Plans were approved in 2016.
DEQ OUTREACH ON 700PM WATER QUALITY GENERAL PERMIT IN BAKER CITY
EOMA and EOMP members attended the DEQ 700PM suction dredge meeting at the library on October 30, 2017. SB 3 actually dictated what will be in the new permit, so it was nothing more than an information meeting. Our input was of no value. A new permit will be $500. Since suction dredging is done in our area more for exploration than for mining, I told DEQ I didn’t expect that they would see many permits from Northeast Oregon.
ASSESSMENT WORK AFFIDAVITS MUST BE INTO BLM BY END OF DECEMBER
Assessment work must have been completed by September 1, 2017, and affidavits into BLM by the end of December.
SENATOR FERRIOLI RESIGNS FROM OREGON STATE SENATE
The Senate has confirmed Ted Ferrioli’s appointment to the Northwest Power Planning and Conservation Council. Ted stated, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Senator Richard Devlin, also confirmed today, on such important issues as carbon reduction through careful planning, enhanced conservation and efficient management of clean, renewable wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric energy”.
“In my 20 years as State Senator, I've represented frontier districts containing more electrical energy co-operatives and public utility districts than any other, along with hydroelectric generation facilities on the Columbia and Snake River systems and much of the electrical energy distribution network for Oregon's renewable energy resources”.
WATERS OF THE U.S. (WOTUS)-Chuck Cushman, American Land Rights
Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order to rescind this onerous rule in favor of a more people-friendly regulation. That bill, if it had passed, would have given the federal government jurisdiction over all waters of the United States, including wetlands. It also would have given the federal government jurisdiction over activities affecting these waters, i.e., land use.
You have an opportunity to help determine a new EPA rule that will govern the use of waters, wetlands, and adjacent land use. You must act now, as the deadline for public comment is Tuesday, November 28th.
To comment on line, google Waters of the U.S., click on Rulemaking Process, and scroll down to Written Recommendations. There's a simple form you can use to submit your comments. If you want to send your comments by mail, the address is: U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave
. (4504T), Washington, D.C., 20460.
Here are some talking points for you to consider:
• The 1973 federal Clean Water Act limits federal jurisdiction to navigable waters only.
• State and local governments are better equipped to deal with water quality issues. They can do it better for less. As former President Eisenhower said, "The principal responsibility for the quality of our waters must lie where it naturally reposes--at the local level."
• Do we even need EPA? It has become an out-of-control bureaucracy and maybe the most dangerous agency in government.
• The ultimate goal of the radical environmental movement and their friends in Congress is to control all watersheds. Since everything is in a watershed, the federal government would control the means of production. That means socialism and the end of freedom as we know it.
• The national economy, and especially rural communities, have been devastated by over-regulation for decades, and especially over the past 8 years.
I urge you to do your part to protect property rights and freedom by submitting your comments by November 28th.
If you are late reading this notice, send your comments in anyway. They usually accept comments for some time after the deadline.
(We need to stand up and help stop the goal of Federal control over every drop of water in a watershed. As miners already know, local and State regulations provide more than necessary bureaucratic and judicial red tape to arbitrarily regulate, and delay legitimate water use.) - Editor
AMERICAN EXPLORATION AND MINING CONVENTION DEC. 3-8, 2017
EOMA members Chuck Chase and Frank Mason will be attending the convention this year from our area. Dr. Thom Seal, who lives in Nevada, will also be attending for EOMA. We thank these members for attending, and look forward to a full report on the convention at our January meeting.
These EOMA members will have an opportunity to talk with BLM and Forest Service staff from the Regional and Washington Offices. Topics for discussion include coordination with the Counties, access, inability to produce NEPA documents in a timely manner, the need for the Forest Service to turn over mining administration to BLM and administer minerals under the 43CFR3809 BLM regulations.
What if you miners on the National Forest could begin exploration using mechanized equipment on their claims no later than 30 days after they submitted their Notices? Miners really need to push for this change. Chuck, Frank and Thom will have their work cut out for them.
If you have other concerns, call Chuck at 541-523-3285 and let him know what they are.
OUTSTANDING RESOURCE WATERS-Mike Hunter
Today I met with Senators Boquist, Olsen, Baertschiger, and Linthicum. I provided their first look at the new DEQ proposed "outstanding resource waters rules". All these senators were unaware of any such actions. This will be a major battle, as the DEQ is considering 8 entire watersheds where instream permits will be banned. This would not be a ban on instream mining, but instead a ban on issuing permits, (big difference?). Now we understand why the upper streams reaches were dropped from SB3, this back-door ban was planned in advance.
MIKE HUNTER: HELPING OREGON’S MINERS-Mike Hunter
Rep. Jodi Hack (Marion County district 19) has announced her resignation from the house, so a replacement for the up-coming short session must be chosen within 30 days. Together, the precinct committee persons in that district must select 3 to 5 candidates who are registered Republicans, and reside within that district. Then, the Marion county commissioners select one candidate to fill the position. To keep the seat, this person then must file for re-election in the November general election.
Senator Jackie Winters (district 10) has filed for re-election in the fall general election.
I am considering filing for one of these positions. If so, I will really need help to form a campaign, and as my major interest is in rural resource development for all of Oregon, I will ask miners from across the state for help.
Everyone should check out the developments in Crook and Baker counties where the counties have invoked coordination, and the policy is to control all local resources in their county for economic development, without interference from state and federal agencies. My goal is to encourage more counties to follow these examples and to promote development of natural resources.
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING NEW PHONE NUMBERS
AEMA Staff Phone Numbers
Laura Skaer 509.624.1158 x116
Matt Ellsworth 509.624.1158 x115
Pat Heywood 509.624.1158 x112
Mike Heywood 509.624.1158 x110
Deanna Stroh 509.624.1158 x111
Devon Coquillard 509.624.1158 x117
EOMA SILVER MEDALLIONS
These are currently selling for $50.00 apiece plus $5.00 shipping, handling, and insurance. (Prices are subject to change). Christmas is coming, and these medallions make great gifts! 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, we will have them for you to buy at our EOMA meetings.
VISIT EOMA'S FACEBOOK PAGES
Eastern Oregon Mining Association now has a Facebook page. For those of you who use Facebook, check it out. For those of you who don't, it may be time to learn!
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/
OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION
The Oregon Mining Association is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting mining and the mineral industry in Oregon. The corporation is supported by donations. Please send what you can to save mining in Oregon to Oregon Mining Association, P.O. Box 23213, Tigard, OR 97281-They have both a website and facebook page. http://oregonmining.org/
OMA FACEBOOK PAGES
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/
SUBSCRIBE TO MINING JOURNAL FOR UP TO DATE NEWS
ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal is your monthly source for news, legislation, how-to articles and more. A full year (12 issues) is still only $27.95; or get a print and online subscription for just $31.95 and get access to our last 16 years of articles online too. Published monthly since 1931. Visit us at www.icmj.com or call at (831) 479-1500 to get your subscription started today.
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EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
MAKE YOUR TAX DOLLARS GO TO SAVE MINING
Your 2017 Oregon Political Tax Credit ends on December 31, 2017. If you pay Oregon income tax, you can take a $50 credit ($100 per couple) off your Oregon income taxes and give it directly to the Mining Political Action Committee. The address for Mining PAC is P.O. Box 23213, Tigard, Oregon 97281. Please write your check payable to “Mining PAC” today!
OPPORTUNITY (4)
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 (4)
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.
CRAWLER FOR SALE (2)
Rebuilt John Deere 420 crawler $6,500. Contact Bill Johnson at 541-932-4582
GOLD CLAIMS FOR SALE (5)
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)
For price, pictures and details, call Don Enright, 509-860-1145 or email: donaldenright25@gmail.com
LUCKY AND SIMPSON CLAIMS FOR SALE
4 unpatented placer claims (Simpson is 80 acres, Lucky claims total 60 acres) located in the Whitney Mining District on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. These claims have approved Plans of Operation and I have posted the bonds for mining. Access roads are good, but the claims are somewhat remote. If you are interested, call Dave Smith at 810-523-7313.
UNION MINING SUPPLY-BUY LOCAL AND SAVE
Contact Dave or Earl Graham for all your mining supplies. If there is something you need and they don't carry it, they will find it for you. Call Dave at 541-786-0921 or Earl at 541-805-8206.
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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