Although this is an opinion article, it is clearly unfair and unbalanced. The article incorrectly states as if it were fact that small-scale suction dredge mining harms fish and fish habitat, which it does not. In fact, according to former EPA scientists Joe Greene and Claudia Wise, who both reside in Oregon and are miners, dredging benefits fish by loosening hard-packed gravels which makes it easier for fish to spawn and by creating refugia for better fish habitat. Dredging is not permitted during spawning season, so that is not a factor. Had the writer bothered to contact miners or mining rights groups rather than accept the opinions of radical environmental groups and quote them verbatim, the article might have shown a glimmer of hope for responsible journalism. The mercury issue is red herring, since dredging removes 98 percent of the mercury found in streams as well as lead shot and lead fishing weights. Also absent is Judge Ochoa’s ruling against on the California dredging ban.