BLM, USFS protect historic and cultural resources in the Klamath National Forest
CALIFORNIA – In order to protect the historic and cultural integrity of the Schwartz and Leff Administrative Site along the North Fork of the Salmon River, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has withdrawn approximately 40 acres of National Forest System lands within the Klamath National Forest from location and entry under U.S. mining laws for 20 years. The withdrawal, initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, prevents new mining claims, but allows leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing laws and disposal under the Materials Act of 1947.
The withdrawal will help preserve the unique historical and cultural significance of the site, which represents mining activities from the late 1800s to the Depression era. The largely unaltered site includes six buildings and two structures, five of which likely originate from the 1930s. Built by members of the U.S. Naval Construction Force, the site stands as a testament to the determination of the early mining community in Siskiyou County, California. The site is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district for its association with placer mining during the Great Depression.
The notice of withdrawal application published in the Federal Register July 27, 2017 (82 FR 34974-75). The notice gave affected users, parties of interest, and the public an opportunity to raise any concerns and to comment on the withdrawal application. The Forest Service consulted Federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies during the development of the environmental assessment. The project was first published to the schedule of proposed actions and the project website on October 1, 2017. All comments were reviewed, and summaries were published in the environmental assessment on the project website.
For further information about this withdrawal, please visit the project website, or contact Melissa Bleier at mbleier@blm.gov (until January 7, 2025), or Shannon Benavides, BLM Realty Specialist, at sbenavides@blm.gov (after January 7, 2025).
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.