forest service rules NO motorized mining equipment. means no high bankers, dredges, or other type of equipment uses an engine. july 1st rule NO prospecting in the water even sluice boxes. now metal detecting is o.k. as long as you stay out of the water. your recirculating equipment is o.k. as long as your 12 volt pump does not suck water from the stream or creek. and you are at least 50 ft. from the water this is anytime of the year. the july 1st was set up because some areas have fish spawning up until this time. PLEASE RESPECT THIS RULE... it is in the best interest for all of us. hope this helped.

member
western mining alliance, public lands for the people, GPAA, new 49er miners, V.P. LAST CHANCE GOLD MINERS , world museum of mines.

Hi Dennis If I am camping and I have a generator in the camp, I am not allowed to use the recirculating highbanker to run the 12 volt DC pump?

Also, is prospecting in the water with sluice box "after" July 1st allowed? How deep of a hole are we allowed to dig on a forest service land? This is taking in to consideration that I plan on refilling it upon completion of my activities...

Leo

in your case you can use a sluice box after july 1, but the no motorized equipment rule still applies . GENERATOR i know you can camp up to 2 weeks in the forest ( all year if you own the claim ) with a generator for camp use. i don't know about use for a recirculating system. i know a 12 volt battery away from the water is o.k. i would think if you were processing cons in camp away from the water it should be o.k. i would say 75 feet from high water mark would be a safe place to start... HOLES know more than 3 feet deep and a few feet around 6 or so. remember the forest service say PROSPECTING allowed NOT mining. so a reasonable hole for sampling material would be fine. DO NOT under cut the banks they get real up set over this... you can also dig ,/ holes in the sand and or gravel bars in the water... just remember prospecting rules fill in your holes, pack out what you pack in and be polite ... the last has got me a lot further in dealing with the forest service... hope this helped any more questions or comments feel free to ask
old 2 dogs
member western mining alliance, public lands for the people, GPAA, 49er prospecting, world museum of mines V.P. LAST CHANCE MINERS

Where is the updated List of Gpaa claims on your websight

Randy, the claims are listed in the 2014 Mining Guide book and updates are posted in the Pick & Shovel magazine every other month. Currently the claims list is not available online. I suspect to keep them secure from none members. We have a lot of claim jumping as it is. If you have questions about specific claims in uour guide you can post questions here, contact the local chapter which is listed on this site, ore- mail Walter Eason at the main office.