Overview: Applegate Sustainable Aggregate

The Applegate Watershed encompasses approximately 500,000 acres located on the northeastern flank of the Siskiyou Mountains in southwestern Oregon. This is one of the most biologically, botanically, and geologically diverse areas in the country. The Watershed is an important part of the diverse 3,300,000 acre Rogue River Basin. Although included in two Counties, there are no incorporated communities within the Applegate subbasin. In Jackson County, Jacksonville is the closest city to the Watershed. Numerous small tributaries flow into the Applegate River which joins the Rogue River near the City of Grants Pass in Josephine County.

An Oregon Solutions team will work together to bring forward creative and scientifically sound solutions for sustainable gravel mining in the Applegate Watershed. Work includes a review of the current conditions and available data, the desired conditions and studies needed for sustainable gravel extraction in the Applegate Watershed, while considering natural resource needs and local economic realities in the community.

The team will address the following: 1) Identify existing data, needed studies, develop funding strategies to pay for the studies and seek agreement as to how the studies will be used to address gravel mining issues unique to the Watershed; and 2) Develop a demonstration project that provides an opportunity for on-the-ground mining design improvements and collaborative learning.

Project Documents and Press Releases

• Governor Kulongoski designation letter September 18, 2008 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Press Release December 3, 2008 [pdf]
• Core Team Meeting December 11, 2008 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Team Meeting Notes January 9, 2009 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Team Accepted Ground Rules [pdf]
• Agenda February 12, 2009 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Team Meeting Notes February 12, 2009 [pdf]
• Kulongoski forms team to look into gravel mining on Applegate River, February 19, 2009 [Link, KDRV.com]
• Agenda March 12, 2009 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Team Meeting Notes March 12, 2009 [pdf]
• Agenda April 9, 2009 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Team Meeting Notes April 9, 2009 [pdf]
• Agenda May 14, 2009 [pdf]
• Agenda June 11, 2009 [pdf]
• Oregon Solutions Declaration of Cooperation (current version) July, 2009 [pdf]

Background information

• Applegate Aerial Survey [pdf]
• Data - Applegate channel widths[pdf]
• Notes on Applegate channel widths[pdf]
• For Applegate technical references visit the Rogue Valley Council of Governments website

Project Contacts

• Co-Conveners: Commissioner Dwight Ellis, Josephine County and Commissioner C.W. Smith, Jackson County
• Project Manager: Joan Resnick