EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
JUNE 2026
VOLUME 441
President……………………………………..Ken Alexander…… alxk@ortelco.net ……541-446-3413
Vice-President……………………………..Dan Johnson……………………………………..1-503-510-3281
Director of Governmental Affairs……… Terry Drever Gee……………………… 541-523-6228
Editor…………………………….. Jan Alexander………. alx@ortelco.net ….541-446-3413
Mineral Policy Director………………Jan Alexander………. alx@ortelco.net ….541-446-3413
EOMA MEMBERSHIPS FOR 2026 WERE DUE IN JANUARY
If your mailing label doesn’t indicate 1/1/27 your dues are not paid up. You can send your payment to: EOMA, PO Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814. Or you can pay at the meeting. You can also sign up and pay with a credit card on our website: EOMA.US Please contact Ken if there is a question about your dues payment. Thank you for your support.
JUNE 5th, 2026 MONTHLY MEETING AT ELK CREEK ENTERPRISES
The EOMA monthly meeting is at the Elk Creek Enterprises building located at 890 Elm Street in Baker City. The Executive Board Meeting starts at 6:00 PM and the General Meeting follows at 6:30 PM. Don’t forget, someone will win a 1 oz. silver medallion at the end of the meeting.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
There is a lot of general information in this newsletter about the permits required by Oregon DEQ for using water to wash dirt from rocks. I went through the process of applying for the WPCF 600 permit for off-channel small-scale placer mining operations that process less than 1500 cubic yards per year. This is the permit DEQ hasn’t issued for nine years. After many complicated steps, I completed the application, then it turned out that this 600 permit is still not available. Their application showed little understanding of how a small-scale placer operation actually works by asking about all the equipment that may be found on site. For example, an excavator may be on site for a day to dig a few yards to stockpile for processing over several weeks in a high banker. Often an exploration prospector has to temporarily use different equipment to define and process his deposit. If you don’t have a WPCF 600 permit, DEQ can still fine you, even if the water is recycled in a settling pond with no connection to surface water. Mainly, do not discharge water with dirt in it, to waters of the State of Oregon. Nature can do it, but Oregon says you can’t.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER A GENERAL DEQ 600 WPCF PERMIT
If miners currently have a 600 permit, they need to know what is in their permit. The permit covers both lode and placer operations. No chemicals can be used under this permit. Settling ponds must be smaller than a total of 20,000 square feet and dams must be less than 5 feet. All wastewater must be disposed of by evaporation and seepage.
Riparian vegetation needs to be protected to the extent practicable. If riparian vegetation must be removed, reclamation of these areas is required.
All water must be contained so there is no discharge. Miners are not allowed to discharge into existing ponds if they are waters of the state, but they can take 5,000 gallons a day for processing from these ponds and use off-channel settling ponds to contain muddy water.
Reporting Requirements
The miner must inspect all waste handling equipment (wash plant, pumps, ponds, backhoe etc.) daily and must observe any stream above and below the mining operation when operating, to ensure compliance with the conditions of this permit. A record must be kept of these observations and be made available to DEQ upon request.
The miner must allow DEQ on site at “reasonable times” They will ask to see your records and they may copy them. They will inspect your operation and equipment. They may sample the settling pond or adjacent waterways.
WPCF 600 GENERAL PERMIT-DEQ Website
This WPCF 600 General Permit is for small-scale mining operations and non-chemical ore processors that dispose of wastewater by evaporation and/or seepage. Operations are off-stream and above ordinary high-water levels. Discharge to water is prohibited.
Note: This general permit expired on Jan. 31, 2017, but is administratively continued and will remain in effect for permit holders until a new permit is issued. Permit holders operating under the administratively continued permit are expected to comply with the terms and conditions of that permit.
Have you emailed Beth Moore of DEQ to make sure they have your correct information? Miners must update their mailing address, phone number and e-mail address by e-mailing Beth Moore at BethMoore@deq.oregon.gov. If DEQ can’t contact you, they will cancel your permit.
DEQ does not currently have a schedule for renewing or revising this permit.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON WHY DEQ STILL HASN’T ISSUED A NEW WPCF 600 PERMIT-DEQ WEBSITE
In 2015, the Oregon Legislature, concerned about the backlog in permit issuance, authorized DEQ to hire an outside consultant to evaluate the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting program. Goals of the program are to:
Issue permits that are environmentally relevant by regulating discharges so Oregon’s waters meet state water quality standards.
Reissue permits before the existing permits expire.
Reduce the number of administratively extended permits to less than 10 percent.
The Legislature also directed DEQ to submit a report by December 2016 on progress toward completing the evaluation, meeting the program metrics and implementing recommendations that come out of the consulting work.
DEQ retained MWH, an independent contractor with expertise in NPDES permitting programs, to evaluate DEQ’s program, make recommendations and propose an implementation plan to reduce the permits backlog.
Throughout 2016, DEQ worked with stakeholders to launch the project, gather input and develop an implementation plan. Editor’s note-the sad thing is that all this time and money was wasted. DEQ has not reached any of their goals.
FEES FOR THE NEW PERMITS WHEN THEY ARE ISSUED-DEQ
DEQ would only be able to raise WPCF 600 fees if DEQ did a fee rulemaking and this was approved by the Environmental Quality Commission. The WPCF 600 permit fees are dated because they have not been updated since before the WPCF 600 was issued.
Editor’s note- DEQ water quality fees can be raised 3% each year, but since the 1500 cubic yard permits were free, my assumption is that a new 600 1500 cubic yard will also be free.
INDIVIDUAL WPCF PERMTS FOR PROCESSING MORE THAN 10,000 CUBIC YARDS- DEQ
We have a backlog of permit applications and plan reviews but typically the entire permit writing process takes between 6 months to 1 year (including the applicant review and public notice periods). We aim to get the permit written as quickly as possible but are sometimes stalled by not having enough information/accurate information so I will reach out as soon as I am certain more is needed. Additionally, as you may be aware our program is transitioning to the online platform Your DEQ Online. This has considerably slowed down our staff as we are pulled frequently to provide technical assistance to permittees. One way you can help alleviate the constraint is to become familiar with YDO, check out the user guides, and go to the available training webinars.
TIMEFRAMES FOR DEQ TO PROCESS AN INDIVIDUAL WPCF PERMIT FOR MORE THAN 10 THOUSAND CUBIC YARDS PER YEAR-DEQ
Here is a brief overview of the process, and an estimation of time and can take longer or shorter depending on circumstances:
First 3 months: Permit Drafting/Internal SME Review (we are here)
+2 weeks: QA/QC/Data Review
+2 weeks: Applicant Review
+1 month: Respond to Applicant Review/Rewrite the permit as necessary
+1 month: Public Notice Period
+1 month: Respond to public notice comments/revise permit as necessary
+1 week: Final internal review/QA/Data Permit Setup……Issuance!
Editor’s note: Bottom line is, keep your operation small until you quantify and define your deposit. These individual permits cost many thousands of dollars.
WHY DOES PERMITTING A MINE TAKE SO LONG?-Pacific Legal Foundation
Few activities are as essential to everyday life and yet as controversial as mining. Every day, Americans rely on products made of metals and minerals mined from the earth. These materials make up the electrical wires that power homes and businesses and the chips inside smartphones and laptops, and they form the backbone of the entire energy infrastructure of the United States. In fact, the US Geological Survey estimates that maintaining America’s current standard of living requires 40,630 pounds of minerals per American per year.
But despite the vital importance of mining to the American life and economy, opening a new mine in the United States has become incredibly difficult. It takes an average of 29 years for new mines to make it through the permitting process in the United States—the second longest of any country in the world, followed only by Zambia. Many mines never make it through the permitting process at all, locking away valuable resources that could make human life better.
FOREST SERVICE TO HOST JUNE PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE BLUE MOUNTAIN FOREST PLAN-Foret service website
The Forest Service is hosting a series of public meetings to bring awareness of the upcoming Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the Draft Land Management Plan in the Notice of Availability for the revision of the Land Management Plans for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests (Blue Mountains National Forests).
The public meetings are planned for the first two weeks of June; June 4 in LaGrande, June 8 in Enterprise, June 9 in Baker and June 11 in John Day. Sessions will be hosted by representatives from the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests from 5 – 8 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.
WHY ATTEND THE MEETINGS ON THE BLUE MOUNTAIN FOREST PLAN REVISION-Forest Service
These meetings will include an introduction to the Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision process, an overview of the proposed revisions to the land management plans, key details about the proposed action and alternatives outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and information on how to provide written comment during the official 90-day public comment period.
The revised land management plans will guide future project decisions by forest supervisors and district rangers on the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, but they will not directly authorize specific projects or actions on the ground.
The Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision website provides up-to-date information, including an estimated timeline, public participation tools, a public meeting calendar with virtual links, informational webinars, background information, and much more. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/planning/blue-mountains-forest-plan-revision
Have questions about the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision process or want to sign up for the mailing list? Email the revision inbox at sm.fs.bluesforests@usda.gov or call (541) 278-3716.
ABOUT THE FOREST SERVICE-Forest Service
The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities.
The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
CHANGES TO THE MINERALS PORTION OF THE EIS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED-Jan Alexander
The draft copies of the Plan contained many errors which EOMA addressed in our comments during scoping. Everyone needs to become involved with this process. Our forests and the valuable resources they can provide, as well as unrestricted access, are essential to our way of life. A balance between conservation, and multiple use, needs to be restored.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS RESCINDING THE 2001 ROADLESS RULE- Secretary Rollins at a press conference
Last year in June, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced during a meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in New Mexico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. This outdated administrative rule contradicts the will of Congress and goes against the mandate of the USDA Forest Service to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands. Rescinding this rule will remove prohibitions on road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvest on nearly 59 million acres of the National Forest System, allowing for fire prevention and responsible timber production.
This rule is overly restrictive and poses real harm to millions of acres of our national forests. In total, 30% of National Forest System lands are impacted by this rule. For example, nearly 60% of forest service land in Utah is restricted from road development and is unable to be properly managed for fire risk. In Montana, it is 58%, and in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the largest in the country, 92% is impacted. This also hurts jobs and economic development across rural America. Utah alone estimates the roadless rule alone creates a 25% decrease in economic development in the forestry sector.
“Once again, President Trump is removing absurd obstacles to common sense management of our natural resources by rescinding the overly restrictive roadless rule,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This move opens a new era of consistency and sustainability for our nation’s forests. It is abundantly clear that properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.
This action aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14192, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation to get rid of overcomplicated, burdensome barriers that hamper American business and innovation. It will also allow more decisions to be made at the local level, helping land managers make the best decisions to protect people, communities and resources based on their unique local conditions.
Of the 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas covered under the 2001 Roadless Rule, 28 million acres are in areas at high or very high risk of wildfire. Rescinding this rule will allow this land to be managed at the local forest level, with more flexibility to take swift action to reduce wildfire risk and help protect surrounding communities and infrastructure.”
FOREST SERVICE AND THE ROADLESS RULE-Wallowa Whitman NF
In the Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision each alternative has the statement that roadless areas will be removed based on the results of, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins’ rescinding this rule. Editor’s note: These roadless areas all need to be deleted.
MINERS JUBILEE JULY 17-19-Jan Alexander
The Baker County Chamber released the following about Miners Jubilee. “This is a three-day celebration of Baker County’s gold mining heritage that has been held annually, in one form or another, since the late 1800s. Miners Jubilee is held on the third weekend of July in Baker City, Oregon.
This event brings the heritage and history of Baker County to life with a parade, vendors in the park, a food court, live music, sidewalk sales, mining demonstrations, and kids’ activities. Bronc riding on Friday night and bull riding on Saturday night round out a full weekend of events that draw family and class reunions to Baker City every year”.
The public can explore authentic mining equipment parked along the street during the Jubilee events, with signs explaining how each piece works. It’s a great opportunity to see the tools and techniques of Eastern Oregon’s mining heritage up close, especially during the gold panning championship at the Miners Jubilee.
Miners Row, on Grove Street in front of the museum is full. Vendors are all EOMA members and every booth will have a mining theme. As usual, there will be panning tubs for the kids. There will be gold, jewelry, bags of paydirt, rocks, popcorn, cotton candy, and more!
The State Panning championship will be on Saturday, July 18, at 2:00 PM with cash prizes for kids under 12, intermediate and senior panning competitions. EOMA invites you to join us for this exciting Baker County event. Test your gold panning skills or cheer on the competitors as they vie for top prizes—generously supported by Ashgrove Cement.
We need miners willing to bring in equipment. For sure, we need the following, anything else you can bring would be great. We want to fill the street with mining equipment. This might be an opportunity to sell equipment you no longer use. Call me at 541-446-3413 and let me know what you can bring in.
We need:
2 trommels (any size)
1 suction dredge,
1 or 2 highbankers
1 dry washer
1 rocker box
Ken is working on our classifier for the street. It is self-contained and recycles its water. It sorts the gold, with nuggets going into one sluice box, medium sized gold lands in the middle sluice box and fine gold in the first sluice box. It’s fun to run and fun to clean-up.
EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
Edito’s note: The current policy requires you to be a paid-up member of EOMA in order to place an ad in the newsletter.
GOLD CLAIMS FOR SALE
6 placer claims (180 acres total) located on Elk Creek near Baker City.
Sale includes all the equipment and has a PoO with FS in place and
A WPCF 600 permit that can be transferred. If interested, call Don at 509-860-1145 or email:
donaldenright25@gmail.com
TWO PIECES OF MINING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE IN GRANITE
Trommel on 24’ trailer. Ten-foot by two-foot diameter barrel. Two cylinder Kohler engine with electric start. Seven foot by eight foot rock screen. Also, a 400-gallon water tank on a heavy duty trailer. There are hoses and a small Briggs & Stratton engine driving a 2” discharge pump. Mike (541) 755-5028 leave a message. Or (503) 266-5739. strimble@pinetel.com
EASTERN OREGON PLACER MINING CLAIMS WITH ESTABLISHED RESERVES
FOR SALE – Two 20-acre placer BLM mining claims in Baker County, Oregon. Located in an established placer gold district. Established reserves at a very conservative 75,000 cubic yards at a grade of 0.58 grams (0.0186 ounces per yard). Reserves can likely be increased by additional testing.
Claims include a current Notice of Intent for sampling and bulk sampling. Excellent year-round access from maintained county road adjacent to the property. Normal operating season is April to October and often longer. Perennial stream Clarks Creek flows through the Lone Pine Claim. Mining geologist report is available. $300,000, or trade for private property. Will consider terms. Send inquiries to mjawine@comcast.net
WANTED-GOLD
Gold Specimens and Gold nuggets, mostly from Oregon mines. Fair prices paid. Also selling Gold nugget jewelry, specimens, nuggets and more. For an interesting and informative experience explore www.northernnevadagold.com Call Robert 775-455-6470
MINING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
STILL AVAILABLE- 3” flat hose, sluice, Honda pump, scraper, clean-up table, road runner screen, screen, diesel tank and pump, two slurry pumps, clean-up room equipment, and additional flat hose. I can send pictures and can provide details on this equipment. I am willing to discuss offers. Call Bill at 503-781-4393. E-mail me at dei@teleport.com .
MINING CLAIMS FOR SALE
STILL AVAILABLE-I still have an association placer claim 40-acres in size, Gold Midas Association, and a 20-acre placer claim, Gold Midas 2. These are on Wilson Creek near the confluence with Elk Creek. I have moved out of the area and thus, need to sell these claims. They are up to date with BLM. Jan Alexander has some maps and information that I sent her on the claims alx@ortelco.net . For a price, please e-mail me at Rob Browning, robbrowning70@gmail.com .
ACTION MINING SERVICES, INC.
AMS is selling assay supplies, screens, chemicals and labware! Call for a quote and mention this ad for 10% off! Assay supplies, concentrators, impact mills, technical books (for the beginner to the advanced mill man), & more! Call for our free catalog or visit us online! Check out our website for information on Wave tables. We are located in Plains, Montana. Please call 406.826.9330 to place your order. This way our staff can have it pulled and ready for pick up. Otherwise, we can always ship your order! sales@actionmining.com • www.actionmining.com
CAPITOL PROSPECTING-METAL DETECTING AND MINING SUPPLIES
We are located in Baker City at 2801 Broadway Street. We buy used equipment and sell both new and used equipment. Come in and see what we have, or call me at 503-269-8640. My e-mail is CapitolProspecting@hotmail.com.
We appreciate your business. Gary and Christina Earle
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION
EOMA is a member of American Exploration & Mining Association, and many of our members are also individual members. American Exploration & Mining Association is a 128-year-old, 1,400-member, national association representing the minerals industry.
With members in 46 states, AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure.
You can become a member of AEMA by going to their website at https://www.miningamerica.org