the testing and research has been done. The eco-lobby is well aware of the results. They choose rather to disbelieve the results until it suites their needs.  For example they want to dredge the Bear River gust outside of Colfax, CA.  They claim it is not in search of gold but rather to remove the mercury in the river and remove the silt accumulation.  This would of course be paid for by the rest of us out of general tax funds.  Last time i checked the miners will not only willing to do this for free, but they were paying the state a fee to do it before the ban went into affect.

Terry,

I was very disappointed reading your comments on our forum. I have been in direct contact with Jerry Hobbs and Walt Wagner for years and they assure us that, not only is GPAA/LDMA the only reason they are still around, but we continue to be their largest contributor. GPAA is a public promoter of prospecting, bringing over 10,000 new prospectors of  all ages into prospecting and mining each year. LDMA is a national premium mining membership offering great collective knowledge and friendship to thousands of members. We have a responsibility to protect mining, but to do so you need someone promoting it.

Not many people are going to be effective setting up a booth at a local event screaming threats of doom to encourage people to participate. GPAA is not ignoring the fight for our rights, we are funding it through the contributions of new members who have learned to appreciate prospecting. Chapters are an important part of spreading the love of prospecting locally all over the country. Not only do they get people involved, they fight for rights on the local level and provide valuable education. It is disappointing to see an LDMA member publicly criticize the efforts of a local chapter.

I am confident that if Jerry or Walt were to see your post, they would also recommend a different perspective in the support of our cause.

Regards,

Brandon Johnson

Hello everyone,

I thought I might throw in my two cents.

First off one must remember a house divided cannot stand.

Second we all must unite and fight together. The quote I saw once said " The only way for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing".

For the last thought it is apparent to me the reason these big groups are pushing to ban dredging and other related activities

 is because they know small scale mining activities clean up all the heavy metals. If they can eliminate, twist the truth or what ever to get the big gov't cleanup contracts for mercury etc. as stated in an earlier post what do they collect in the process, yes that's right GOLD right along with the bad.

Nice scam get paid to clean up and get the gold, and in public's eye be the hero.

 Just a thought.

The full story on the California dredging ban court hearing May 1 is now online: http://www.goldprospector...-Dredging-Ban-Ruling

 Boy! in my own backyard

Here's a link to check out. I sure hope they made sure the equipment doesn't leak oil, diesel or hydraulic fluid, oh and I'm sure they have all the permits from EPA and Fish and game.

Seems they could get spawning pools done by allowing dredging and getting it all done for FREE!

Another waste of money by Government.

http://www.orovillemr.com...ject-begins-oroville

Rick      

Public Lands for the People and other mining groups are meeting with Judge Gilbert Ochoa as we speak. The court-ordered Mandatory Settle Conference is now underway. Hopefully, the end of the five-year long statewide ban on suction-dredge mining is near! The closed-court session is the latest development in the ongoing battle between gold miners and radical environmental groups, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, since the state imposed a “two-year moratorium.” Miners argue the moratorium has become a prohibition!

Here is the background on the case: 

http://www.goldprospector...-Dredging-Ban-Ruling

http://www.goldprospector...ck-in-the-wall 

http://www.goldprospector...t-hand-account