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Legislative and Regulatory Update
July 2008 by Scott Harn
Lois Wolk, the California State Representative who previously introduced a bill to eliminate suction gold dredging in the state but was halted by Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto, is up to her old tricks.
Jerry Hobbs, president of Public Lands for the People (PLP), reported that Wolk attached a rider to the state budget bill. The rider would call for the state to conduct a two-year study of suction dredging and prohibit suction dredging during the study period.
Hobbs reported that his organization is looking at a couple of options to try and remove the rider. The New 49’ers prospecting club is also working on this issue.
The budget bill has already passed out of the Senate Budget Committee, but it will likely go through many rewrites because the state is looking at severe budget cuts.
• Travel Management Plans
Hobbs and PLP attorney David Young also attended several meetings regarding the Forest Service’s Travel Management Plan in the Eldorado National Forest.
As reported in last month’s issue, PLP filed an appeal along with a notice of intent to sue the Forest Service because of the Eldorado National Forest’s refusal to honor the 1872 Mining Law and access for mining when it decided to close off numerous historic routes across public lands.
Hobbs stated that the meetings went as expected—Forest Service officials were ignorant of the laws and rights pertaining to mining. He stated that at least one claimant has already been denied access to his mining claims. A lawsuit is forthcoming to force the Forest Service to recognize the rights of miners. Unfortunately these issues may need to be addressed with each National Forest as they release their individual Travel Management Plans.
The Bawl Mill
Normally this spot is reserved for a little humor or diatribe about government abuse. In light of recent events, I don’t think it’s appropriate for this issue. Following are a few personal comments.
Looking Back
Excerpts from CMJ, our original title, published 50 years ago this month.
The Seven Troughs Mining District
The favorable geology of the northeastern and central parts of the Seven Troughs Range are the parts most interesting to prospectors. They are underlain by a thick sequence of Tertiary volcanic rocks, mostly rhyolites and andesites.
Detecting in Australia's Etheridge Goldfield
This remote goldfield covers an area of over 13,000 square miles of the Savanna Gulf country of Far North Queensland, Australia.
The “Push” for Gold—The Great Nevada Adventure Continues
I got a signal but knew it was small. Still, I was very happy to find something. I continued and got another signal. Yes! A bigger nugget! Then I got another signal.
MMAC & PLP Update
Many miners have failed to exercise their rights by using the power of their Mining Districts and laws that are already on the books, such as 43 CFR 9712.1, which states…
The Ferris-Haggarty Copper-Gold Mine, Grand Encampment District, Wyoming
At the close of the 19th Century, optimism was high that Wyoming would become an important source for copper much like the neighbor states of Colorado, Utah, and Montana. This dream was short-lived...
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The Bawl Mill
• The Lost Silver Triangle of the Sierra Madre—Conclusion: Tayopa, Guaynopa, and Guaynopita
• The Greenwood Gold Project
• Miners Go To Work In Washington
• How To Locate Diamonds
• Natural Crystalline Gold
• The Vore Mine
• Tools of the Modern Prospector: The GPS
• Whitehall Mine Foregoing Closure
• Work Begins At Rock Creek Mine
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• The National Mining Hall of Fame to Induct Four
• Looking Back
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