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Legislative and Regulatory Update
April 2020 by Scott Harn
• Washington State copies California’s wayward regulations
On March 9, the Washington State legislature sent a bill to Gov. Inslee’s desk that will prohibit all forms of motorized mining in streams where Endangered Species Act listed fish are present. The governor is expected to sign the measure.
House Bill 1261 passed 60-35, while companion bill SB 5322 passed in the Senate 37-10, with votes passed along party lines; Democrats were in favor, while Republicans were against it.
The bill would make all motorized prospecting and mining illegal in ESA-designated waterways. Uneducated legislators swayed by extreme environmental groups continue to ignore the benefits provided by suction gold dredgers.
The evidence is clear that dredge miners remove heavy metals like mercury and lead and create desired thermal refugia as they clean our waterways. Dredging “seasons” were already in place so that dredging operations did not interfere with spawning seasons.
Bills like these passed in Washington State are the reason why we continue to focus our efforts on changes at the federal level. Utilizing federal preemption on federal mining claims, we believe these types of frivolous regulations can be overcome, and we continue to advocate for changes at the federal level during our trips to Washington, DC with Public Lands for the People. (You can read more about our efforts in the “PLP Update” column.)
Drywashing and Detecting for Eluvial Placer Gold Research is the Key to Success—Part II
Before heading out to work the same old ground, or blindly seeking a previously unknown gold placer area to drywash or detect, maybe you would benefit from doing a little research.
Sixteen to One Takes on MSHA
Letter from Sixteen to One President Mike Miller to Congressman Wally Herger (Chico) requesting a Congressional investigation into the activities of the Mine Safety and Health Administration
What's The Best Way To Invest In Gold Or Silver?
For those of you who don’t have the time or the means available to find gold, or you are just in the wrong part of the country, there are plenty of options available to purchase precious metals.
The Bawl Mill
• Doing hard time, making easy money
• A cozy bear prevents miners from doing research. Well, sort of...
The Very First Issue of the Mining Journal
“It said Volume 1, Number 1, August 1931. I couldn’t believe it! I almost fell down!” said Carol. She had found the very first copy of the Mining Journal, in fairly good condition and with all the pages intact!
Electrum: Gold and Silver Together
...if you are out prospecting and find something that looks very much like a nugget but has an odd greenish-gray cast to it, don’t be too quick to simply toss it aside as junk.
The Nome Goldfields
Nome has a colorful history built on gold, where over 5 million ounces of the yellow metal has been dug up. Due to limited space, only a tiny fraction of this mining district can be touched upon. It would take volumes to cover all the information...
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The Bawl Mill
• Sampling for Success—Part II
• Ask The Experts - Investing: How do you know which companies have potential?
• Miners Fight Back When BLM Says 'Your Claim Is Too Long'
• It's Another 'Ben Day'
• How to Research Prospecting Locations and Mining Claims
• Some Tips and Tricks for Dredgers: Determining Pulley Size and Belt Length
• Where Will The Gold Price Go From Here?
• Holcomb Valley Gold, Southern California
• Gold Prospecting for Better or Worse: The Good Luck and Bad Luck of Prospecting With Animals
• Lode Miner Continues to Find Pocket Gold
• Judge Backs Minnesota's Twin Metals Mine in Lease Dispute
• Over the Divide: Rick Lague
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
