All Articles
Legislative and Regulatory Update
March 2008 by Scott Harn
As we previously reported, the House passed the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act (HR 2262) on November 1, 2007. HR 2262 would impose an 8 percent gross royalty on new mines, a 4 percent gross royalty on existing mines, give regulatory agencies the authority to reject proposed mines, and authorize citizen lawsuits, among other things.
The Senate held its first hearing on the bill on January 24, 2008. Stakeholders from both sides presented their views. It’s unclear at this juncture whether the Senate will start with HR 2262 and make changes or draft their own version from scratch.
• Washington Gold & Fish rules
The debate continues in Washington over gold mining regulations. After countless meetings between stakeholders, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife tried to force severe restrictions on gold miners and prospectors without the science to back up their position. The miners felt betrayed.
WDFW based their new restrictions on water temperature without citing scientific evidence to support their conclusions. As expected, the miners were upset with the agency and made their opinions known at several public hearings. The remaining scheduled hearings were canceled and everything has ground to a halt.
The Habitat division of WDFW issued a statement that acknowledged there was "significant discontent about the proposed rules not only among members of the prospecting community, but also among those prospectors that sat on the workgroup.
Prospectors have expressed significant dissatisfaction with proposed work windows, numerous specific work requirements, and in the rule development process itself. Because of this, Habitat Program is delaying presentation of the proposed rules to the Commission until outstanding issues can be resolved."
You can view the proposed rules by clicking on Pending Rules & Regulations under the Resources tab on our website. (Note: The prosposed rules were removed from the WDFW website. For the current rules, see wdfw.wa.gov/habitat/goldfish/)
In the meantime, constructive comments will still be accepted. Comments can be mailed to Lisa Wood, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1092; faxed to Lisa Wood at (360) 902-2946; or emailed to SEPADesk@dfw.wa.gov
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Additional articles that might interest you...
Texas "Hill Country" Gold
December 2003
The scenic “Hill Country,” in the heart of Texas, is a recreational area for several large cities, including San Antonio and Austin. Most of the region lies at elevations between 300 and 1,800 feet, and forms an island of igneous and metamorphic...
The scenic “Hill Country,” in the heart of Texas, is a recreational area for several large cities, including San Antonio and Austin. Most of the region lies at elevations between 300 and 1,800 feet, and forms an island of igneous and metamorphic...
Map Offers Look at Butte's Mining History
July 2004
It turns out the old Anaconda Co. really did have 10,000 miles of tunnels beneath this mining city. That’s one of the findings by researchers who have produced a new map that charts the thousands of underground mine shafts here, providing a detailed look at some of Butte’s mining history.
It turns out the old Anaconda Co. really did have 10,000 miles of tunnels beneath this mining city. That’s one of the findings by researchers who have produced a new map that charts the thousands of underground mine shafts here, providing a detailed look at some of Butte’s mining history.
Melman on Gold & Silver
June 1999
The morning of Friday, May 7 gave us a new chapter in gold's ongoing struggles which might properly be named "As the headlines turn!"
The morning of Friday, May 7 gave us a new chapter in gold's ongoing struggles which might properly be named "As the headlines turn!"
Melman on Gold & Silver
April 2003
Never have I regretted the deadlines we must work with at this publication as I do this month, for events of tremendous significance are likely to occur between the time this column must be prepared and the time our readers will receive it.
Never have I regretted the deadlines we must work with at this publication as I do this month, for events of tremendous significance are likely to occur between the time this column must be prepared and the time our readers will receive it.
Oil Seeps in Northern California
July 2001
Indians used asphalt from oil seeps in California for caulking boats and other objects long before the white man arrived. Spaniards noted seeps as early as 1542, and the Portola expedition in 1769 used oil for wagon axles and as a fuel. Spaniards also used crude stills for obtaining lamp oil for use in the missions.
Indians used asphalt from oil seeps in California for caulking boats and other objects long before the white man arrived. Spaniards noted seeps as early as 1542, and the Portola expedition in 1769 used oil for wagon axles and as a fuel. Spaniards also used crude stills for obtaining lamp oil for use in the missions.
Mining Trade Group Sues Nevada Over Tax Initiative
March 2010
The Nevada Mining Association has filed a lawsuit to block a petition asking state voters to raise taxes on mining.
The Nevada Mining Association has filed a lawsuit to block a petition asking state voters to raise taxes on mining.
We’re Still Thinking About It
April 2018
We have learned over the years, of course, that “previous development,” “roadless,” and “local support,” are in the mind of the beholder.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Ask The Experts — How have fellow dredgers modified their dredges in order to retain fine gold?
• Ask The Experts — Could you please include the stock symbol in "Mining Stock Quotes"?
• Gryphon Gold and the Borealis Project
• A Modern Day Prospector’s Story
• Conducting Research To Find New Gold Deposits
• New Tax Considerations For Your Mining Business
• Searching for Gold at Paradise Valley, Alaska
• The Carson City Mint
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
Free:
