About OHA
— OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS ALLIANCE —
The Mission:
OHA's mission is to encourage and support education and public participation in decisions involving the integrity, sustainability, and prosperity of our community and the environment. OHA fosters conservation of natural resources and takes action to prevent environmental degradation.
The Vision:
We envision:
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The health, beauty, and integrity of the ecosystems protected for future generations
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Pure water, a basic necessity of life, safeguarded and used wisely
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Sustainable multiple use of public lands
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Land-use implemented in ways that improve the health of people and the environment
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Stable local economic growth that is based on wise stewardship of the land and water and sustainable industry
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An increasingly diverse economy, e.g. recreation, small businesses, retirement and service income, sustainable forest products and greater variety in farming
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A community that appreciates the natural world, and demonstrates that appreciation by making choices and taking action to protect nature.
The Threat:
Shortsighted industrialization, unsustainable resource extraction, and development threaten the natural beauty, wildlife habitat, economic diversity, and quality of life in the Okanogan Highlands. The health of aquatic and wildlife habitat on Buckhorn is threatened by contaminated waters and the privatization of public land. What was once National Forest land has been patented out of public ownership and turned over to a mining company, resulting in the loss of multiple use opportunities and increasing potential for future development that could further degrade habitat.
The Buckhorn Mine continues to contaminate groundwater emanating from Buckhorn Mountain in violation of The Department of Ecology’s discharge permit. Regulatory agencies responsible for controlling pollution have failed to hold Crown/Kinross accountable for permit violations, instead allowing them to continue with impunity. The mining company could leave the water contaminated, and with an inadequate surety bond, there is no guarantee that the issues would be resolved. The public could be left to pay the cost to clean up environmental damage left by the gold industry. (Details on how the Buckhorn mine is adversely affecting water quality can be found in the Mine Monitoring section of this website.)
Water resources throughout the highlands have been impacted by land management practices that degrade water and soil quality and increase sedimentation of waterways. Some logging and grazing practices do not adequately protect streams, springs, and seeps. Some homesite development methods impact waterways, promote the spread of weeds, and fragment wildlife habitat. Together, these issues threaten the health of highland ecosystems.
