Oregon's desert lands, waters, and wildlife are increasingly threatened by industrial-scale mining on public lands. As transnational mining corporations seek to ramp up mining in some of the high desert's most remarkable landscapes, Oregon's environmental safeguards are more important than ever.

Right now, before Oregon’s next legislative session, the mining industry is pressuring state decision-makers to expedite permitting processes and rollback environmental safeguards, making developing industrial mines in Oregon far easier. Tell your legislators to prioritize conservation, keep common sense protections in place, and oppose any attempt to weaken state planning and permitting for mining.

Less oversight on mining in Oregon's high desert would devastate fragile ecosystems, endanger imperiled species, limit recreational opportunities, and hurt local communities. Urge your state legislators to defend guardrails on mining that protect desert public lands from irreparable harm.

Photo: The Opalite Mine in the McDermitt Caldera remains a scar on the landscape more than 60 years after closure. Credit: Jim Davis