IT NEVER FRICKIN ENDS!
Calif. takes step to close gold mining loophole
The Associated Press
Published: Friday, Jun. 7, 2013 - 3:40 pm
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- California officials are taking steps to close a loophole that has allowed gold miners to continue using suction dredges on salmon streams despite a state moratorium.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday it is proposing an emergency rule to amend the definition of a suction dredge so that miners can no longer split the equipment in two to keep working.
The dredges amount to giant vacuum cleaners that suck gravel from stream bottoms and settle out the gold.
The action comes at the urging of Indian tribes and conservation groups upset that miners have gotten around a moratorium put in place by the Legislature.
Dave McCracken of the New 49ers gold mining group in Happy Camp says they will fight the change.
Calif. takes step to close gold mining loophole
The Associated Press
Published: Friday, Jun. 7, 2013 - 3:40 pm
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- California officials are taking steps to close a loophole that has allowed gold miners to continue using suction dredges on salmon streams despite a state moratorium.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday it is proposing an emergency rule to amend the definition of a suction dredge so that miners can no longer split the equipment in two to keep working.
The dredges amount to giant vacuum cleaners that suck gravel from stream bottoms and settle out the gold.
The action comes at the urging of Indian tribes and conservation groups upset that miners have gotten around a moratorium put in place by the Legislature.
Dave McCracken of the New 49ers gold mining group in Happy Camp says they will fight the change.
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