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., is seeking permits to conduct exploratory drilling for copper, gold, and molybdenum. Exploratory drilling to locate mineral deposits and determine commercial viability is an essential step in the development of a hardrock mine.
In February 2018, the Forest Service approved exploratory drilling permits for the mine (click here to read the decision), despite tens of thousands of citizens who opposed this decision. Soon the Bureau of Land Management will issue its own decision, and then we will be forced 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 20+ 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! For a history of our actions to date, click here.
- READ OUR ARTICLE IN THE OSPREY NEWSLETTER, MAY 2018: MINING AGAIN THREATENS MOUNT ST HELENS AREA WILD FISH AND HABITAT
- READ OUR OBJECTION LETTER TO THE FOREST SERVICE
- SIGN OUR PETITION
- 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.
- DONATE TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF MOUNT ST. HELENS
- VIEW A TIMELINE OF OUR LEGAL WINS, COMMENTS SUBMITTED, AND OTHER ACTIONS IN OPPOSITION TO THE MINE
Mount St. Helens: No Place for a Mine from Cascade Forest Conservancy on YouTube.
Recent news
- Our press release on February 9 2018, addressing the Forest Service decision
- The Forest Service mine decision statement, dated January 30th 2018
- Our official comments from 19 conservation and recreation groups.
- Judge Hernandez’s court decision.
- Goat Mountain Modified Environmental Assessment.
- The Columbian article, “Sen. Cantwell urges Forest Service to say no to Mount St. Helens drilling”
- OPB article, “Cantwell Opposes Mining Near Mount St. Helens”
- See Sen. Cantwell speak out in opposition to use of public land for mining at 2:05:00
- Senator Murray’s letter requesting an extension to the comment period on the modified EA.
- Senator Cantwell’s letter to the Forest Service in opposition to the mine.
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
Northwest Fund for the Environment
Patagonia
Sierra Club
The Mountaineers
The Wilderness Society
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 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.
