In 1950, a training wall was damaged by mining and Linda and Olivehurst flooded when Yuba River waters escaped from the Goldfields. Mining companies continue to mine into the training walls. There is no oversight of the training walls from local officials because there is no recognized public access into the Goldfields. The Army Corps of Engineers is ultimately responsible for the training walls, but downplays their importance. County supervisors complain about the Army Corps of Engineers, but refuse to open the road to get the access that would allow them to view the training walls for themselves.
Mining companies continue to operate illegally, without scrutiny.
Yuba County is notorious for not regulating mining companies and several lawsuits are pending to force regulation of the mining companies in the Yuba Goldfields. If the public had access to the area, county officials would possibly be more sensitive to the desire of the public to have clean rivers than the desire of the mining companies to operate without regard to clean water laws. The Access Coalition has documented evidence of mercury, arsenic and other toxics and heavy metals being generated by mining companies, but getting the government to act has been difficult. In March, Yuba County even allowed Western Aggregates Inc. to mine in the bed of the Yuba River, claiming that it is perfectly legal. No environmental review of the mining activity was required.