BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SJR 3|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SJR 3
Author: McGuire (D), et al.
Amended: 3/17/15
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 7-2, 3/24/15
AYES: Pavley, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Wolk
NOES: Stone, Fuller
SUBJECT: Smith River watershed protection
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution urges the President of the United
States and Congress, on behalf of the California Legislature, to
permanently safeguard the currently unprotected North Fork of
the Smith River watershed in Oregon from any mining activities
that would have potential impacts on water supplies, economies,
or the environment in California's portion of the Smith River
watershed.
ANALYSIS: The Smith River in California is part of the Smith
River National Recreation Area Act (Act), which was passed by
the 101st United States Congress in 1990 (Public Law 101-612).
It amended the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and
permanently protected all federal lands of the Smith River
watershed within California by establishing the Smith River
National Recreation Area. The North Fork of the Smith River was
designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1988. However,
the 13 miles of the North Fork of the Smith River located in
Oregon were not protected as part of this Act.
SJR 3
Page 2
This resolution urges the Federal Government to permanently
protect the North Fork of the Smith River watershed, restricting
future mining activities along the river.
Background
The North Fork of the Smith River was designated as a National
Wild and Scenic River in 1988. Of the 13 miles of the Smith
River that flow through Oregon, 8.5 miles are designated as
Wild, and 4.5 miles are designated as Scenic. The North Fork of
the Smith River is known for its outstanding water quality and
for its ability to clear quickly following storms. Low turbidity
and lack of pollutants contribute to the river's excellent
habitat and high fisheries value.
The North Fork of the Smith River's fishery, typical of Pacific
coastal systems, is dominated by trout and salmon. Winter
steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout are the predominant
anadromous species on the North Fork. Some populations of coho,
Chinook (both fall and spring run), and summer steelhead are
found in the lower reaches of the river, primarily in
California. The North Fork provides seven miles of near-pristine
steelhead spawning and rearing habitat and is a significant
source of the high-quality water on which the anadromous fishery
of the Smith River depends.
Comments
Upstream mining risks. Renewed efforts to protect North Fork of
the Smith River have come about due to requests by the Red Flat
Nickel Corporation to mine for metals in the North Fork of the
Smith River watershed. In 2012, Red Flat Nickel Corporation
submitted the Cleopatra Check Drilling Mining Plan with the
goals to develop and operate a 3,980 acre strip mine to extract
nickel, cobalt, and chromium in the watershed of the North Fork
of the Smith River in Oregon. The plan was submitted to the
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. While this plan has not
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Page 3
progressed past the environmental analysis stage, the
corporation maintains ownership of the area, and future plans
may be forthcoming. There is significant scientific evidence
that strip or surface mining of laterite nickel ores results in
ecological disruptions, including the release of toxic heavy
metals, and would likely affect the health and quality of the
California Smith River watershed and its fisheries. In addition,
mining laterite nickel ores is extremely energy intensive, and
is widely known for resulting in extensive greenhouse gas
emissions.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 3/25/15)
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
American Whitewater
County of Del Norte
Earthworks
Elk Valley Rancheria, California
Friends of the Kalmiopsis
Friends of the River
Kalmiopsis Audubon Society
Native Fish Society
Planning and Conservation League
Redwood National Park
Save the Redwoods League
Smith River Alliance
Smith River Rancheria Tribal Council
Trout Unlimited
Wild and Scenic Rivers
OPPOSITION: (Verified3/25/15)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to author, "[t]he Smith River
watershed is considered the crown jewel of the California Wild
and Scenic Rivers system. The Smith River watershed is in danger
of future mining activities which will unnecessarily put the
people and wildlife that rely on the Smith River at risk."
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"SJR 3 would urge the Federal Government to permanent safeguard
the unprotected North Fork of the Smith River watershed in
Oregon from any mining activities that would have potential
impacts on water supplies, economics, or the environment in
California's portion of the Smith River watershed."
Prepared by:Angee Doerr / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116
3/25/15 14:10:56
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