Washington : No New Rules this Year !

standard8

Jr. Member
Jul 17, 2015
35
67
Seattle Washington
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Notice to Mineral Prospectors (apologies if this is a duplicate message):

We are contacting you because of your interest in the outcome of WDFW’s proposed Hydraulic Code rules relating to suction dredge mining in Washington.

WDFW is postponing adoption of proposed rules that would require suction dredgers to obtain a standard written HPA prior to suction dredging in Washington. This means that suction dredging can continue under the Gold and Fish Pamphlet until further notice.

No changes to the Gold and Fish pamphlet have been made. Mineral prospecting and mining within water bodies identified in the Gold and Fish table as “Submit Application” are not authorized under the pamphlet - you must obtain a standard written HPA to work in those water bodies. Likewise, if you want to conduct mineral prospecting or mining activities at different times or locations, or with different equipment than allowed under the pamphlet, you must apply for a separate, standard, written HPA.

We will keep you informed of the scheduled date for adoption by the Commission. We recognize that implementing new requirements during the summer and early fall mineral prospecting seasons would be disruptive to miners. Therefore, adopted rules wouldn’t be effective until after October 31, even if the Commission votes to adopt the proposed rule between now and then.

We will send you additional information as it becomes available. If you do not wish to be contacted further, please respond to this email with a request to be removed from future mailings. For more information, please contact Randi Thurston at [email protected]. Information will also be posted on the HPA Rule Making web page.

Download a copy of the June 2018 version of the Gold and Fish pamphlet.
 

winners58

Bronze Member
Apr 4, 2013
1,729
4,058
Oregon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
that is good news, from what I hear it wasn't easy,
thanks to the guys that have been working tirelessly on these issues.
 

oregonmp03

Full Member
Oct 13, 2014
193
184
Aberdeen, WA
Detector(s) used
Fishers
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
That is when the meeting is. Any rules accepted wouldn't take effect until after October 31st, 2019. It was supposed to be July 1st, 2019 when all the changes would occur and be in effect.
 

winners58

Bronze Member
Apr 4, 2013
1,729
4,058
Oregon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
hope so, the page says they will decide the effective date at the time they are adopted.
 

oregonmp03

Full Member
Oct 13, 2014
193
184
Aberdeen, WA
Detector(s) used
Fishers
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
hope so, the page says they will decide the effective date at the time they are adopted.

My guess is...we're waiting to see how badly we're sued before we give a date of rules.

....i need to change my location no longer in Coos Bay...Washington now.
 

OwenT

Hero Member
Feb 11, 2015
572
858
Moses Lake WA & Provo UT
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
"Greetings!

Today, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new suction dredge HPA rules effective November 1, 2019. Beginning November 1, suction dredgers will be required to obtain a standard written HPA prior to suction dredging in Washington, submit annual activity reports to WDFW, and follow provisions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Application materials and instructions will be available later this summer.

Suction dredging is allowed under the Gold and Fish Pamphlet until November 1, 2019. Follow this link to download a copy of the June 2018 version of the Gold and Fish pamphlet. An updated version of the pamphlet, removing references to suction dredging, will be available on the mineral prospecting web page later this summer for use beginning November 1.

Additional information is available on the HPA Rule Making web page. For more information, please contact Randi Thurston at [email protected]."
 

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