Man convicted of illegal mining proposes new operation

As he vowed to do during his trial in U.S. District Court in Medford in November, a gold miner convicted of illegal mining on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is moving ahead with plans for a new mine on federal land in the same drainage.

Clifford R. Tracy, 37, of Gold Hill, has filed a proposed plan of operations to placer mine a site along Sucker Creek on the Grants Pass Resource Area in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Medford District. His previous mining operation was about two miles upstream in the national forest.

The mining activity that led to his trial raised hackles among environmental groups while drawing support from the local mining community.

The BLM, by law, can only consider Tracy's past history with the U.S. Department of the Interior when it comes to his mining history, said district spokesman Jim Whittington.

"He is in good standing with us," Whittington said, adding, "He has been communicating with us fairly well."

Tracy recently completed exploratory mining work in a nearby watershed in the resource area and completed reclamation work as required, he noted.

Tracy's proposed placer mining operation a dozen miles southeast of Cave Junction would cover three to four acres near the stream, according to the BLM.

As part of the plan, the area would be reclaimed after mining, she noted. The mining activity is expected to last about two years.

The public has until Jan. 29 to comment on his proposed plan.

Anyone wishing to comment on Tracy's proposal can send them electronically to Jossie at Medford_Mail@blm.gov. Comments can also be sent via regular mail to Abbie Jossie, BLM, Grants Pass Resource Area, 2164 N.E. Spalding, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

Tracy, who could not be reached for comment, maintained during his bench trial that the U.S. Forest Service was opposed to gold mining and miners.

— Paul Fattig