Worley's beef is with Ed Fite, longtime head of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, who is concerned that unless some changes are made in mining rules, the state's six scenic rivers will suffer. A 1993 state law stipulates that miners can't operate within 100 feet of a scenic river's high-water mark, unless they had requested permits before the law took effect. Worley's company is permitted to operate on the Baron Fork River, which is outside the jurisdiction of the scenic rivers commission.

Even so, Fite and other agency officials believe the mining operation hurts the river's water quality. They intend to ask for more stringent restrictions on Worley's operation, and hope eventually to expand the areas where scenic-river regulations can be applied.

Fite says he's aiming for a solution that suits all parties, and we hope such an agreement can be reached. We're generally uncomfortable with rules that might hinder private property rights. But it's important to protect Oklahoma's scenic rivers, which won't remain such wonderful natural assets if checks and balances aren't in place.