Contact:


Tres Piedras Ranger District
P.O. Box 38
Tres Piedras, NM 87577
Phone: (575) 758-8678

Been thinking about that claim too. I'm pretty sure you got to have a state permit $50 each depending on which one you need i.e. Wet or dry or both. Total bs in my opinion. Please post what you find out.

Also I got a email from fish & game last week that lake hopwell was closed because they were using it to re-fill firefighting aircraft.

I too have been checking on the permits for placer creek.  I read some regulations twice and it appears to me that unless you plan to move a lot of material you won't have to have a permit.  Just my interpretation.

Guess one of us needs to call the office in Walters post. Reading regs for nm is the definition of confusion. Me I'm thinking about it as a place to escape the heat!!! I'm in Deming & it's been one hot sob.

Yes you have to have a NM state permit unless you are exempt, be sure to check the documents online at the NM web site for the exemptions.

Did anyone make it to Placer Creek Claim?
A buddy and I are hoping to make an exploratory excursion out there yet this year.
He only plans to use a pan and a small 4" sluice. Whereas I hope to use a small homemade solar powered trommel with a 6" sluice.
Because it's so late in the season for there, and we're a couple of old guys and having to pack everything down to the creek (our 2wheel drive won't make it up and down the wet clay road) we don't think we'll have the energy to process more than 2 cubic yards each.
Just hope to prove it out for a longer trip with more equipment for next year. We'll get the permits for more yardage and gas powered equipment then.
We don't have a dredge yet, but are they allowed?

Thanks

Placer creek closes on September 1st, I know it was not put in book last time and I am not sure why.

I just talked with the supervisor at the ranger station.
The claim closes on August 31st. Not Sept. 1st.
I was referred to someone else for additional requirements and limitations.
I was only able to leave a voicemail.

Also Hopewell Lake is now open.
Although it has rained a lot in the area, it has not rained for two and a half days.
I think still too muddy for a regular vehicle.

Found info on the Permits from the states website  



http://www.emnrd.state.nm...nes_October2011_.pdf
 
Page 5 has a flow chart to see if you are going to need a permit

Been there done that.

Check for permits from New Mexico Environment Department for water quality section 404 permit, contact Tres Piedres Forest Ranger, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Department of Mining and Minerals Division. All that and they only allowed 3 cubic yards of material to be moved. Hard to get to claim unless you have a Jeep. Huge boulder in Narrows. Take a gun for protection from bears. Roads still snowed in in June/July. No overnight camping at Hopewell Lake Campground.? Have good brakes.

Are you saying the quantity of material allowed to be moved has increased from 2 cu.yds to 3 cu.yds. without paying the $50 permit.
I understood you needed reservations for camping, and pay when you get there. No charge for day fishing and picnicking.
Of course you have to pay to stay overnight. But the campground is popular and fills up, so you need the reservations.

I always want good brakes going down the highway, let alone going down steep dirt roads in the boonies.

I had been told that there were no bears in that area, was I told wrong?

What year did you go?