Since 2005, the Cascade Forest Conservancy and our partners have been working to protect the Green River valley, near Mount St. Helens, from industrial-scale hard rock mining. A Canadian mining company, Ascot Resources Ltd., has been seeking a permit to conduct exploratory drilling for copper, gold, and molybdenum. Drilling to locate mineral deposits and determine commercial viability is an essential step in the development of a hardrock mine.
In December 2018, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gave approval for exploratory drilling permits (click here to read the decision), despite tens of thousands of citizens who opposed this decision. The Forest Service gave similar approval in early 2018, making BLM’s action a final decision, and forcing Cascade Forest Conservancy to oppose this in the courts. We will also continue to work with Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, Governor Inslee, Congresswoman Herrera Beutler, local representatives, and our 30+ coalition partners to find alternative solutions to mining that protect the Green River Valley, while promoting local recreation and jobs.
Mining exploration and development could harm threatened salmon and steelhead populations in the Green River, interfere with recreation opportunities in the area, and threaten drinking water supplies for downstream communities. The unique, remote, and beautiful Green River valley was acquired by the Forest Service with money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, money designated to promote conservation and recreation to the public. This will be the fourth time that the mining industry has tried to mine in this area. We have stopped them three times, and we plan to do so again. It is critical that we remain vigilant to protect the Green River valley and Mount St. Helens from future mining attempts. You can help by donating here today! For a history of our actions to date, click here.
- THE GREEN RIVER IS #6 ON AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS® 2017 LIST BY AMERICAN RIVERS. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LISTING AND TAKE ACTION HERE.
Mount St. Helens: No Place for a Mine from Cascade Forest Conservancy on YouTube.
Recent news
- Columbian Editorial Opposing the Mine, “In Our View: Save St. Helens from Mining” Dec.26, 2018
- The Daily Chronicle, “Ascot Gets OK for Exploration of Mining Potential Near Mount St. Helens” Dec.11, 2018
- Our press release on December 4, 2018, addressing the Bureau of Land Management decision
- Our official comments from 19 conservation and recreation groups.
- Judge Hernandez’s 2014 court decision.
- Goat Mountain Modified Environmental Assessment.
- The Columbian article, “Sen. Cantwell urges Forest Service to say no to Mount St. Helens drilling”
- See Sen. Cantwell speak out in opposition to use of public land for mining at 2:05:00
Access Fund
American Rivers
American Whitewater
Association of Northwest Steelheaders
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington
Cascade Forest Conservancy
Clark-Skamania Flyfishers
Conservation Northwest
Earthrise Law Center
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Lower Columbia Canoe Club
Mazamas
National Wildlife Federation
Nature Abounds
Northwest Fund for the Environment
Patagonia
Sierra Club
The Mountaineers
The Wilderness Society
Trans-Cascadia
Trout Unlimited
Vancouver Audubon Society
Vancouver Wildlife League
Washington Trails Association
Washington Wild
Washington Wildlife Federation
Western Mining Action Network
Western Mining Action Project
Wild Steelhead Coalition
Willapa Hills Audubon Society
TAKE ACTION
The Forest Service and BLM just approved exploratory drilling, but the battle is far from over. We will continue to oppose this mine in court and work with our legislators to protect the Green River valley from dangerous hardrock mining.
Please take action now by contacting your elected officials and urging them to support long-term protections for the Green River valley. Sign our petition below, then click here to contact your representatives.
