Number: 2016-07
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation is fully committed to protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats; and
WHEREAS, Suction Dredge Mining (SDM) is a process of pumping stream bed materials into a material separation process and in so doing disrupts the natural fluvial geomorphology that native fish depend on for spawning and rearing within the stream; and
WHEREAS, salmon, steelhead, and other aquatic species eggs, alevins, and larva reside in the same stream bottom gravel down to typical depths of eight inches for several months each year; and
WHEREAS, displacing and processing the stream bottom causes significant mortality of residing species; and
WHEREAS, silts discharged by SDM resettles into downstream gravel, suffocating eggs, alevins, and larva; and
WHEREAS, sediment deposition fills in the spaces between stone and gravel elements, decreasing available sheltering habitat and disrupting delivery of clean, oxygenated water to eggs and alevins, as well as other organisms forming part of the food base; and
WHEREAS, Dredging can release sequestered poisonous substances such as mercury from lower layers of sediment and poisonous mercury is used in the sluicing process with these substances being at least partially discharged by SDM, exposing humans and wildlife to these toxins; and
WHEREAS, state legislatures have taken different approaches to protecting stream habitats from SDM damage, from outright bans (California) to moratoriums (Oregon) to potentially relaxing all existing regulations and protections (Idaho); and
WHEREAS, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on habitat restoration in some of these watersheds and that investment is at risk with SDM.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in its Annual Meeting assembled June 16-18, 2016 at Estes Park, Colorado, supports management of suction dredge mining to minimize harm to stream habitats and species; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon State Legislatures and Agencies to fully enforce existing suction dredge mining regulations, ban suction dredge mining in areas that have been designated as critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, and implement management plans and safeguards that: recognize the need to protect stream habitats and species from harmful effects of suction dredge mining and limit where, when, and how suction dredge mining is allowed; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that these management plans and safeguards be fully funded by suction dredge mining registration fees.