Look up this general permit to see if you qualify, it will not work in all areas so you need to check out the maps. Final Small Suction Dredge Mining General Permit  

if you qualify then check to see if this present listed 2014 permit is still the active permit for 2016  and ask the permitting agency for more information. This permit also is dredge size specific. Permit order looks like it was intended to be gtood till 2018 but that does not mean there have not been changes.