California 49ers Rush to Gold and the Resulting Problems

California (U.S.)  — We all have heard of the California 49ers.  No, I do not mean the football team, but the individuals who ventured west through a then untamed and wild United States.  More than 150 years ago, thousands of men, and some women, left the civilized Eastern United States for California in search of Gold.

Unknown to anyone until 1848, the area around present day Sacramento would yield millions of dollars worth of the precious metal.  It was early in this year that a man named James Marshall first discovered nuggets in the American River.  He was in the process of building a saw mill for John Sutter, and together they decided to try and keep the gold a secret for fear the news of it would bring thousands.

As you can imagine, it was impossible to keep a secret like this.  Within months, the news had spread far and wide.  Claims went up in the entire region as everyone attempted to make it rich.  Few ended up doing so, and those that did probably made most of their fortune providing supplies to those that didn’t.

Flash forward to today, and there’s still controversy in searching for gold

Jump ahead to present day and we can still find people searching for gold on these same rivers.  While most would probably consider this a benign way of spending leisure time, it is not done without controversy.

These individuals, and the groups they belong to, have faced obstacles ranging from nature itself to lawsuits from Indian tribes like the Karuk.  Opponents to the treasure hunters feel that the mining techniques employed disturb the rivers and streams adversely affecting the balance of nature. Environmentalists feel that salmon and other fish are being distressed to the point of limiting their reproduction.

It has come to the point that the California State Assembly is considering a bill that would allow wildlife managers to ban mining on any river or stream they consider sensitive.  The miners feel they are being unduly singled out, stating that fisherman and other recreationalists affect spawning as much as they do.

In the end, it will probably be a controversy that will go on, as most do.  One thing is for certain, the $6-$18 an ounce the miners got back then, even adjusted for inflation to a present day value of roughly $135 to $405 is low compared to the approximate $790 price tag an ounce costs today.  I am ready to start panning myself, no wonder others are!

Sources:

“The California Gold Rush.” California Environment Resources Evaluation System website: http://ceres.ca.gov/ceres/calweb/geology/goldrush.html. 12 Oct. 2007. 

“Focus On Gold.” http://www.thegoldpage.com/golden_facts/focus_on_gold.htm. 12 Oct. 2007.

“The Inflation Calculator.” http://www.westegg.com/inflation/. 12 Oct. 2007

The New 49ers website: http://www.goldgold.com. 12 Oct. 2007.

http://goldprice.org/. 12 Oct. 2007

Ritter, John. “Gold Miners Dig Up Loot, Controversy.” USA Today 10 Sep. 2007: 3.