Jim,

The state will not sell the permit required to dredge. They did not out law dredging, they just wont sell the permit.
I do know of folks still dredging, very low key. Some government agencies dont care as much as California does.
Highbankers are allowed under certain conditions. Cant pump out of the creek/rivers, gotta have a settling pond s,
absolutely no discharge into creek/river having dirty water...otherwise it's wide open LMAO

Bill

Thank you

Well put Bill…🤝. Where are you looking to prospect Jim? Got my own claims…I’ve ran electric highbanker, Gold Hog Raptor highbanker with Honda (quiet) pump, even 2” suction nozzle attached to the Raptor highbanker (works great!). Low profile and leave the place better than you found it, northern portion of the state, should be fine. PS-I also document the garbage (including lead) that I recover from my small scale mining. I also vote for miner friendly (conservative) candidates. Good luck

Brian yes am starting out prospecting, did some panning/sluicing years ago, never high banked. Am gonna go out also going to give a shot to detect for gold.....

Just trying to learn and have fun, gold comes, great!

Jim

Wish you the best, glad you are in it…prospecting is an outlet for the soul and memories for the family. Whatever gold you find is just icing on the cake.

Just starting out and want to highbank?…I’d recommend considering the Keene Mini Max electric set up, silent and deadly, without having to carry a lot of equipment. Use a marine battery for durability and attach a briefcase solar charger from harbor freight ($70), and you are in business with a great setup! I converted a Gold Hog sluice to an electric setup and was highly successful with it. Next step up with gasoline = Gold Hog Piglet, lighter than the Raptor and moves a lot of material, Honda pumps are the best. Gold Hog matting is outstanding!

Next, watch Two Toes UTUBE videos 🤭 for a good laugh and lots of great information.

From my experience (Next to owning my own claims) my GPAA claim recommendations are JPL1, Rivers Gold Group, and the infamous Cache Creek, Colorado.

Thank you Brian, great advice...

Love Gary (Two Toes) vids and watch them almost daily (ongoing).....

Will look into those claims, thank you.

jim

Recently heard about dredging in California with a “reclamation permit” can anyone clarify if this is correct and how would you go about getting one?

There was talk about it in 2022 but they got too much pressure from fish and wildlife as per their website

The State Water Board is dedicating its staff resources towards the re-issuance of existing NPDES permits, as provided in the State Water Board 2023 Strategic Plan, and is not proceeding with further development of a statewide NPDES permit for suction dredge mining at this time.

What really makes me mad, saw on the news just this week, a state agency is funding river bottom reclamations to loosen gravels for fish reproduction, dont remember which river
But according to state agencies, suction dredging does river bottom damage detrimental to fish reproduction, not to mention the trash that gets removed by dredging.
Although they wont admit it, they are afraid of the mercury that is still out there in the gravels
Talk about speaking with forked tongue
I raise my middle finger salute to state of california, right hand has no idea what the left hand is up to...noncommunications...HUH ?
Keep paying your taxes

Bill

Hey 👋 Bill, I always enjoy reading your comments!

As gold miners, we are most certainly benefiting the environment by removing the mercury left behind by the old timers! Which is quite a lot in places, unfortunately! And that’s often where the best gold is usually accumulated. I wish California Fish and Game would learn to love us, but then again, the key word here is “California”! The state is going to pot…literally. I’m from Texas and am considering moving my mining interests/$$$ from California to Colorado. There’s still a heck of a lot of gold in places there and they are a lot more miner friendly. You may want to consider a new location.??

FYI,…BEWARE of any claim listings for Colorado on eBay!!! If the seller will not communicate with you or provide you with the Bureau of Land Management CAMC number for verification…then do NOT bid on it! It’s likely fraudulent.??