Obsidian collection postponed until offices reopen

Obsidian. Photo by iamchad, Flickr

The following is a press release from Modoc National Forest.

ALTURAS, Calif. - Permits will not be available for collection of obsidian from the four designated collection areas in the Warner Mountains and all obsidian collection will remain closed until further notice. All Forest Service offices in the Pacific Southwest Region remain closed due to the pandemic.

“We are sorry for the impact this decision might have for Modoc County visitors and obsidian artisans,” said Forest Supervisor Chris Christofferson. “The value of offering obsidian collection right now is overshadowed by the need to keep our community and personnel as safe as possible, while also addressing concerns of our tribal partners and local communities about the impacts of unsustainable mining.”

Though permitted personal-use collection will resume once the pandemic subsides, commercial obsidian mining is no longer authorized on the Modoc National Forest.

Commercial mining impacts increased over the last decade as overseas purchasers sought large quantities of unprocessed obsidian rocks. This led to unsustainable impacts to the resource, surrounding forest and nearby communities. Theft and illegal mining activities increased substantially with evidence of heavy equipment, unauthorized roads, wildfire ignitions, unsafe mining practices, impacts on other forest users and an overall unsustainable removal of this non-renewable resource.