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Commentary: Debate over suction dredging needs to be grounded in science

Posted by: Maven on June 1, 2009 at 3:27 pm

From YubaNet.com, this commentary by Mike Thornton of the Sierra Fund:

The Sierra Fund is happy that the issue of mercury left from historic gold mining in California is finally getting the attention and generating the vigorous debate it deserves. It is important that this debate be based in fact and grounded in science.

There’s been a lot written when it comes to the topic of “suction dredging” and The Sierra’s Fund’s support of a bill (SB 670, sponsored by the Karuk Tribe) that would place a moratorium on this type of “hobby” mining until a court-mandated and long delayed study of its impacts are reviewed and new regulations developed. Much of this debate has included direct testimony from miners who, largely unintentionally, prove that rules governing suction dredging need improvement.

In a recent Grass Valley newspaper article, one suction dredge miner, Mike Leslie, tells the reporter “Without rules in place for handling the metal, some throw mercury back in the river or burn it. There are no incentives by land management agencies to collect and dispose of mercury properly… I store it right now until we find out what we’re supposed to do with it”.

We applaud Mr. Leslie’s concerns, and are glad that he agrees there need to be new rules, programs and incentives to handle this problem. Handling mercury from dredging can be not only highly dangerous but also illegal. This is because mercury is a highly regulated, highly toxic material.

Read more of this commentary by clicking here.

June 1, 2009 · Filed Under Northern California

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