California suction dredging update
October 8, 2009
The State of California has obtained an extension for filing their response to the federal lawsuit filed by Public Lands for the People (PLP).The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the State of California from enforcing SB 670, the bill enacted August 6 that halted the issuance of suction dredging permits.
State officials now have until November 24 to file their response in US District Court in Sacramento.
PLP is still hoping to get the rights of suction gold dredgers restored before the next dredging season.
In the meantime, the California Department of Fish & Game has released a review of available studies in preparation of the draft EIR for new suction dredging regulations. The 122-page document appears to contain very little new information from the EIR completed in 1994.
Review of Available Studies & Literature for Suction Dredging (1.26Mb pdf)
Look for more extensive coverage on the suction dredging lawsuit and EIR, along with other pending lawsuits, in our upcoming November issue.
A new update has been posted in our Recent News section. (Posted 11/03/2009)
