California Suction Dredge Miners One Step Closer to Refunds for Lost Mining Season
May 5, 2010
California Miners Get Golden Reception in Senate CommitteeSuction Dredge Miners One Step Closer to Refunds for Lost Mining Season
The Senate Committee on Appropriations threw its full support today behind refund legislation authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley). The measure -- SB 889 – will allow Suction Dredge Miners to request a refund of suction dredge mining permits that were purchased from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) in 2009. The vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee moves SB 889 to the Senate Floor.
Senator Aanestad introduced refund legislation last December – after the State Legislature approved emergency action last summer to ban the practice of suction dredge mining in California. Senator Aanestad believes that his legislation is a matter of fairness.
“Thousands of miners followed the letter of the law by purchasing permits in 2009 that would allow them to practice suction dredge mining – a practice that was later banned during the same year by the State Legislature,” said Senator Aanestad. “They paid for a full year of mining activities and they didn’t get it. I’m pleased that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle recognize and understand this – and I’m hopeful for similar success as the bill moves toward a Senate Floor vote.”
--full story at Senator Sam Aanestad's website
