PLP and Mining Districts
PLP Update
January 2022 by Scott Harn
There has been some strong interest from miners in Oregon and Washington regarding the Public Lands for the People (PLP) reclamation dredging program that began in California in early 2021. A few Oregon miners have stepped forward to assist PLP in the effort to complete the research and documentation necessary.
The group that was assisting PLP and the Mining Journal to arrange meetings with influential agency heads and members of Congress is considering restarting in-person meetings in Washington, DC in late March or early April 2022.
We anticipate there will be a change in party leadership in possibly both the House and Senate following the November 2022 mid-term elections, and the leading polls indicate this is a very strong possibility. It would be very beneficial to begin meetings with members of Congress soon to reestablish the relationships we had prior to the Covid restrictions.
We were quite close to getting some major changes pushed through Congress to help miners of all shapes and sizes, with particular emphasis on the small, independent miner. Then along came a change in administration in the White House and a change in leadership in Congress. We are very anxious to get back there and finish what we started.
MMAC & PLP Update
Each separate Mining District is a federally recognized entity. There are huge advantages—picture yourself going to an oversight meeting where 2, 3, 4, or even more Mining District representatives have obtained voting positions on the board.
MMAC & PLP Update -- Rand Mining District Gets Organized
The process of updating the Rand Mining District is underway and you’ll see a Public Notice in this issue requesting interested parties to submit an application to serve on the board.
PLP Update
In the meantime, I want to highlight some recent court cases won with the assistance of Public Lands for the People…
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…
MMAC & PLP Update
We have been playing defense for 100% of the game, and now we are finally playing some offense.
PLP Update
It is in all of our best interests to have our voices heard. According to the current documents, two local areas that we use frequently… are being considered as being listed as ACEC’s (Areas of Critical Environmental Concern).
PLP Update: Oktoberfest Weekend
Forty prospectors lucky enough to sign up early spent a weekend looking for gold and talking about gold. And there is nothing better than doing both.
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The Bawl Mill
• Ask The Experts - Geophysics or drilling? Which is best for this project?
• Ask The Experts - How closely are black sand and gold related?
• Why Is The Gold On Bedrock—Or Why Is It Not?
• Breaking Boulders With Explosives
• Colorado to California for Gold
• Historic Dredge Uncovered in North Carolina
• Setting Up A Placer Operation
• Grizzly Flats, California—Another Mother Lode Gold Rush Town
• Drywashing Without A Drywasher
• Late Fall Drywashing
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
