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Rural California: Battle over suction dredge mining headed for court

Posted by: Maven on November 16, 2009 at 7:57 am

From the Lake County News:

“The is a two-part article on the impacts of North Coast Sen. Patricia Wiggins’ legislation to temporarily halt a mining practice in California.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The ongoing battle over suction dredge mining is headed to federal court, as a group of miners plans to challenge a state-imposed moratorium on the practice which went into effect in August.

The topic of suction dredge mining is a complex one, complete with proponents and opponents with fiercely held views, each bringing to the table science that backs their stances and a deep ideological divide about the use of natural resources.

In August, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 670, emergency legislation written by North Coast Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa). Two years previously, he had vetoed a bill to limit the practice.

The bill put into effect an immediate moratorium on all instream suction dredge mining, which involves a vacuum system run by a small engine that runs gravel and materials from the bottom of a stream through a system to strain out gold.

Suction dredging operations performed for the regular maintenance of energy or water supply management infrastructure, flood control or navigational purposes are allowed to continue. … “

Part 2 will run tomorrow. Read more from the Lake County News by clicking here.

November 16, 2009 · Filed Under Northern California

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