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Dear Sen. Murray, Sen. Cantwell, and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez,

Ascot Resources Ltd., a Canadian mining company, is seeking permits to conduct exploratory drilling for copper, gold, and molybdenum in the Green River Valley on the doorstep of Mount St. Helens. If this mine becomes a reality, the environmental, cultural, and economic impacts to southwest Washington could be catastrophic.

The Green River Valley is no place for a mine!

People come from around the region and the world to enjoy world-class hiking, mountain biking, botanizing, foraging, fishing, hunting, and backcountry horseback riding. These recreation opportunities also fuel the local economy, but the construction of a mine in the area would decrease the amount of visitors to this part of the forest and in turn would hurt local businesses.

The Green River is eligible to be a Wild & Scenic River candidate and provides fresh drinking water to downstream communities as it flows into the North Fork Toutle River and on to the Cowlitz River. The river is also a designated wild steelhead gene bank, offering critical spawning and rearing habitat for this iconic species. Mining runoff would severely damage this important fish habitat and in the event of a large tailings pond breach, drinking water sources for downstream communities could be contaminated.

This land is culturally and spiritually significant to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Mount St. Helens (Lawetlat’la) is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property of both Tribes due to its significance in traditional beliefs and cultural identity. Both the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Yakama Nation oppose the proposed mine.

We, the undersigned concerned businesses, organizations, and policymakers, are asking you to support the Green River Valley Alliance in their efforts to secure a legislative mineral withdrawal for the Green River Valley. This designation would end the threat of mining by prohibiting mineral extraction within the boundaries of the roughly 46,000 acre withdrawal. This designation would not impose any additional restrictions on other activities allowed in the area (ie. recreation, trail maintenance, timber harvests, etc). By supporting this effort, you would be supporting our vision of the future where the Green River Valley by Mount St. Helens is able to continue to inspire and be enjoyed for many years to come.

The construction of an open-pit mine neighboring Mount St. Helens would be disastrous for the environment, put public health at risk, and would devastate outdoor recreation opportunities. With your support on Capitol Hill, we will secure a mineral withdrawal, put a stop to this mine, and permanently protect this beautiful and vitally important part of Washington. Together, we will ensure that the Green River Valley is #NoPlaceForAMine!