California has just banned Gold Dredging...

[bearkat4160]

Well the idiot government has banned gold dredging and successfully taking my means of making a living during the summer. Gov Arnold signed the bill today. What a disappointment he is now. Time to go to Federal court to get our FEDERAL mining rights back that a STATE has taking away, which is illigal by the way. Man Im @#$%&. Anyway here is a pic of some of my nice California gold from my dredge this year. Got me 3 oz's now, guess I have to stop there cause it is now a misdemener to dredge here...Time to go back to Oregon before they do the same. guess its time to fire up my Infinium with my new 10x14 in. Mono coil I got last week in anticipation that this might happen....

 

[Grubstake]

Part of the advantage of having access to some private land with creeks running though the property, is you don't need a permit and unless they have a search warant, they can't gain access to where you are. Its not going to stop dredging in Mariposa county for sure, too much private land with good gold bearing creeks, Just have got to wait for rain. Grubstake

 

[diggetdawg]

seems to me that the state of ca. can't afford to pay anyone to go out and check up on these things. unless they bounce a check to some poor ranger LOL

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I suppose that metal detecting for gold will be banned next.

 

[bris dave]

Sorry to hear that you cant continue to dredge in your part of the States.

However, you havent told us why this decision has been taken. The reasoning behind it would be informative.

In Australia dredging was banned in, I think, all states because of water purity concerns and the fact a lot of idiots were dredgeing the wash behind bridge pylons causing safety issues.

We can still dredge on mining leases, which I have done myself.

What is the entire story behind your dilemma?

 

[Roscue2]

n/t

 

[bearkat4160]

Reason....Politics, in the name of saving salmon. Funded by the Indian Casinos. Guided by environmentalist wacko's.

Outcome....more socialism.

 

[bris dave]

Bearcat,
Thanks for the response mate.

However,could you give me some more in depth detail. Perhaps some links from both sides of the debate?

I would like to see what the whole debate is about.

Thanks again.

 

[aushunter]

bris dave, check out the New 49er's at Happy Camp and read about the legal bull that they went thru.
It's geting pretty sad all over the place.Iv'e got a small 3" dredge that hasn't been going for years.
I loved getting in the water and getting that gravel and recovering the spoils, not anymore mate.
HH and cheers
aushunter

 

[Macaco]

These three articles have some background on the closure.

"Schwarzenegger signs ban on dredge mining"

"Suction dredging ban signed into law"

"Court backs Karuk Tribe against California Fish & Game"

Cheers,

 

[bris dave]

I rather suspected what you linked to would be the case.

I feel for the blokes who have been affected by the decision, but as a former Fisheries Biologist (in another life) I can see why it was taken.

I also noted that the decision was not made on a temporary basis and there is the possibility for dredging to resume in the future , which should be of at least some encouragement.

Over the years as a biologist, fisherman and miner I have been affected by these sort of Govt. decisions from both sides. It is always hard to get the balance right, and as an outsider I dont presume to have the absolute answer, but when "threatened" species come into play conservative decision making raises it head every time.