Question about Dredging in Washington state

[hunterbill]

I've read the gold and fish pamphlet from fish and game. Do I understand correctly that all the river and stream beds are State property? And dose this mean that there are no claims on them? Are there in fact claims on the rivers and streams in Washington? or can I just go anywhere listed in the pamphlet? Any one know any thing about this? Thanks

 

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[mike(swWash)]

The last few pages of the pamphlet show what rivers are open to dredging and during which dates. As to claims, only federal lands can be claimed, like Nat. forest lands. State property cannot be claimed. The rivers are not all owned by the state, they are regulated by it. If you go into Nat. forest lands, beware of claims, but state lands are wide open. Good Luck

 

[hunterbill]

Thank you Mike, I will consult the blm's LR2000 b4 dredging. What do you know about the beach mining area? Just need to have some au for mental health this winter.

 

[russau]

id also check Welcome to Land Matters to ensure that I got it correct rather than just the LR200 !

 

[Hoser John]

EMERGENCY measure in legislature/passed already? to ban all in stream mining...I just read passed ??.., very sorry but read extensively...check before you procede as you know the forest/fish cops. John

 

[mike(swWash)]

I have not read anything new except for the emergency closures of a few rivers due to the drought and warm water. They've begun to remove some restrictions already due to the fall weather we're getting now. Info here

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/emergency_rules/2015/wsr_15-19-012.pdf

and here

Mineral Prospecting & Placer Mining Regulations and Permits (Gold and Fish Pamphlet) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

As for gold on the beach, the answer is yes, it's in the black sands around North Head on the Long Beach peninsula, some areas around Westport and on the South side of Moclips river to name a few. Be aware that it is mostly -200 size and hard to capture with a standard sluice. Gold Cubes and sluices using vortex or V matting work about as good as possible with such small stuff. Use the search function on this website and you'll learn much more, as will searching on youtube for Washington beach mining videos. Here's mine:

 

[Goldwasher]

Just talked to Washington fish and wildlife head a few days ago....nothing has changed as far as normal dredging allowed per the pamphlet?? Could you please post a link to the bill and the passing vote John?

 

[winners58]

WDFW eases restrictions, closures on some rivers affected by drought | WDFW News Release
WDFW is easing restrictions on the rivers listed above for suction dredging for gold and mechanical removal of aquatic plants.

 

[Goldwasher]

Thanks winner

 

[Hoser John]

Article in local paper under national news last week, read to son and he freaked too, hope to LL not true as we and Oregon are toast and a 3 fer sucks. Enviros so full of themselves they put out press releases sometimes before their insidious bills pass. Hope it's wrong -John