Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County firefighters train for 'mayday' scenarios ... Medford pair sold phony health device ... Woman allegedly stabbed man with broken beer bottle ... Jackson County firefighters train for 'mayday' scenarios ... Medford pair sold phony health device ... Woman allegedly stabbed man with broken beer bottle ... WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST High-tech mapping flags old Willamette Valley mines Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News STAYTON — A project to determine the locations of abandoned mines in the Willamette National Forest could help firefighters and others avoid injuries. The Statesman Journal reports in a story on Saturday that the four-year project initiated by the U.S. Forest Service found 226 features of abandoned mines in the North Santiam Mining District. Those features include mine entrances, exploration pits and waste rock areas. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries used an airborne laser to scan the Earth's surface in a technology known as lidar. Combining the results with other information created a three-dimensional map that workers used to go into the field to pinpoint abandoned mining areas. "Lidar aids in the inventory and closure of abandoned mine features with the aim to protect public safety," said Ruth Seegar, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. "Lidar is an effective tool in advance of a ground survey because it increases the efficiency and labor of a time-consuming abandoned mine survey." The mountains in the region are rugged, steep and densely forested, said Clark Niewendorp, industrial minerals geologist with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. "We can now see an incredibly detailed image of the earth's surface," he said. "Lidar imagery has real value for inventorying abandoned mine land because it can show mine openings that weren't well documented, or that were even completely unknown." Mining in the area dates back to 1860, although records indicate the area never produced much. But the abandoned mines can be dangerous, and the Forest Service has had particular concerns as dry conditions could cause a fire and put at risk firefighters who might encounter a mine. "USFS was particularly interested in knowing where mine openings had been closed with foam, because it accelerates fires," said Ali Ryan, information officer for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501