Legislation & Regulation
Legislative and Regulatory Update
December 2012 by Scott Harn
• Increase in claim fees• Impact of recent elections
• Current suction gold dredging status in California
• Parks in Southern California
PLP Update
We’ve heard from miners in Arizona about federal agencies closing off historic roads that provide access for miners, and we need your input.
MMAC & PLP Update
We have been playing defense for 100% of the game, and now we are finally playing some offense.
Revised Dredge Regulations Published for California—Pure Garbage
We can’t say it wasn’t expected. The California Department of Fish & Game released revised suction gold dredging regulations on February 17, 2012, and it’s obvious the agency wants to make life as difficult as possible for dredgers.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• California suction dredging regulations
• Draft Coho recovery plan for Southern Oregon, Northern California
• Sage-grouse
MMAC Update
One caller wondered why he should be required to join MMAC, asked why MMAC was not a non-profit, and compared it to some kind of extortion attempt. If he had questions like these, I assume there are others with similar questions and I will address them here.
EPA Reopens Comments on Pebble Project
The settlement did not grant an immediate approval for the project, but it did begin to clear the way for the company to apply for federal permits—a path the Obama administration previously had thwarted.
5th Circuit Ruling May Benefit Miners
This ruling comes at an opportune time, just as suction dredge miners are dealing with new proposed regulations in several western states. Be sure to cite this case when you provide comments on the regulations!
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