Last Post 29 Apr 2016 02:32 PM by  ARTHUR WAUGH
Oregon Dredge Moritorium
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ARTHUR WAUGH
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27 Jul 2015 09:15 AM

    Division ofState lands has published a news release and a draft map of waters that will be closed to motorized mining for 5 years.  This is classified as Essential Salmon Habitat along with Bull Trout waters.  You can find  by looking at the DSL site.the map or here:

    http://geo.maps.arcgis.co...46c8b528e9900e9300de

     

    This includes the public corridor in Quartzville along with the 3 GPAA claims up there. 

     

    Brice, Sharps and Champion Creeks out of Cottage Grove will still be open, as will the 2 GPAA claims up there. 

     

    Have not looked into the rest of the claims yet.  Have not been to those, so don't know exact locations.  You can pull up the streams on the map in the link.  If you know if they will be open or closed, post it up here on this thread. 

     

    This will take effect on Jan. 2, 2016 and last for 5 years, at least.  Supposed to sunset after 5 years, but I figure it will be extended........

    Shawn Willett
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    27 Jul 2015 06:09 PM
    I'd have to agree with ya Arthur on the ban extention. When the salmon count goes down due to poor reproduction caused by poor spawning habitat 60 months after this ban kicks in, we miners will be blamed for it. >
    E. JIM/PAM HANEY
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    01 Aug 2015 07:45 AM

    As of Jan 1 , 2015 there is no dredging on the Burnt River from Unity dam to the snake river.  This is due to the Burnt River being a 303D listed river. It is polluted with arsenic & sediment

    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    09 Aug 2015 02:37 PM
    Talked to the fish biologist for the Quartzville area and found out there are no fish issues with the three "trigger" points for fish above Green Peter Dam.  DSL (Division of State Lands) will get with them after the 17th of August and we should get everything above the dam back.  It is a wild and scenic river, but in the recreational designation.
    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    24 Sep 2015 07:01 AM

    Heard back from my contact at Division of State Lands (DSL), and he has verified that the waters above Green Peter Dam are NOT qualified to be in the 5 year moratorium, and the map will be corrected to show those water will still be open with the usual restrictions on timing and size.  Our three claims and the public corridor in the Quartzville area will remain open for dredging.  At least we get a small win out of it and keep at least one area open.

    If you know of areas on the map that do not qualify, get with ODF&W (state fish and wildlife) in the area and verify that the waters don't qualify, and forward the info to DSL along with the contact info at ODF&W of who you talked to and their phone number, so DSL can verify.

    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    23 Oct 2015 07:21 AM
    On Monday the 19th of Oct., a suit was filed in federal court to keep the state from enforcing the moratorium.  The legislator behind the ban says a bill will be forthcoming in the short session in early 2016 to put in place rules and regs....................And I can promise that won't look real good from any angle.
    JERE CLEMENTS
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    28 Oct 2015 09:29 AM
    California's dredging ban seems to be spreading like the infectious disease it is. I have read the suit that was filed to stop this and it is extremely well done! If the judge hearing this case has got any common sense at all the moratorium will be defeated, if not,,,,, welcome to California boys!

    These issues take a lot of money to fight, do your research on which groups use your money the best and make a small donation after all these issues affect us all.
    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    29 Oct 2015 06:19 AM
    Waiting on Fish and Wildlife fisheries guy in Central Oregon to get back to me on another area above a dam with no fish passage to see if it will get pulled out as well, plus need to see about a couple of claims below Sumpter that may have passage issues to get dropped out.
    WALTER EASON
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    04 Jan 2016 12:07 PM

    This is the information that I have found on the Oregon Moratorium as of 1/4/16. On the second page of the attachment you will find under MORATORIUM MAP a link to the web site. Go to that website and  scroll down to "GENERAL AUTHORIZATIONS" and find the "(2015) Interactive Draft ESH Map​" .  This map as you zoom in shows streams and rivers that are classified and also shows where the classification stops on each. After going over the PDF and going to the links you believe you need to and looking at the interactive map be sure to contact the agency to see if all is up to date.

    Moratorium FAQ 11-17-15 (5).pdf 

     

    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    06 Jan 2016 07:02 AM

    Map is still "draft"  Final still to come.  DEQ is working on revising the 700 permit, and it will probably be a couple of months yet before it will be available. At least the $150.00 surcharge is gone for now, depending on what the legislative session has in store.  There will be a bill of some sort coming, and some fear the fees associated will be pretty steep.

    Most waters will open around mid June with a few in mid May for dredging, so there is still time for the permits to be revised.  Hopefully can put in more than 3 locations in the new ones......and streamline the changing of locations during the year.

    JIM SHANNON
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    06 Jan 2016 08:36 AM
    I would like to come up this summer and do some dredging while we still can.

    Anyone know of a good claim with camping?, I don't mind paying extra for day use on a private claim.
    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    06 Jan 2016 01:09 PM
    The three claims in the Quartzville Group have dispersed primative camping on them, in some sites, first come first serve.  The two claims on Champion Creek (Cat and Paradise) there is roadside camping at the junction of Brice and Champion Creek, and a couple of USFS campgrounds (no hookups) nearby, within a 5-6 mile distance.  I know those claims should still be open for dredging this year, pending on what the legislature does come Feb/Mar.  Quartzville also has about a 12 mile secoin that is open to the public, and Brice/Champion/Sharps Creeks have 5 total public areas, but each is not too big.  Those are about 25-30 miles east of Cottage Grove , south of Eugene.  Road to Quartzville is paved and no problem for campers/trailers, and about 25-30 miles NE of Sweet Home.
    JIM SHANNON
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    07 Jan 2016 08:02 PM
    Have you dredged at any of those claims? Which ones would be good for a 4" with air ?
    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    08 Jan 2016 06:29 AM

    Have not dredged any (just bought a 2 1/2 and am rebuilding it to what I want)  The eastern and western claims in Quartzville are older claims and have been used.  I do OK on the western one with sluice and pan (fines and some wire) the eastern one has never produced for me.  The middle one is fairly new.  Have to work getting a dredge into them.  "Cat" is fairly easy to get to, but have never been on the water, "Paradise" is about 3 1/2 miles further up the road (can get rough) and about the only way to get a dredge into it is by helo........One step down and full day climb back out for me..

    Lot of the public area (Quartzville) is accessable.  Used to be the USFS public areas on Brice were 2 1/2 limit, but not sure right now.  DEQ permit is $25.00 for a year, and right now limited to 3 locations, listed by TRS.  Have to have permit # on dredge in 3 inch contrasting numbers, visable from bank and keep a turbidity log.  Search Oregin DEQ for the 700PM permit rules and regs and application.  Still showing the 2015 stuff right now.

    Water is usually not and issue except on Riverside in the summer, then it can get low, but you can usually make a spot.

    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    27 Feb 2016 07:46 AM

    Well, the good news is the bill (SB 1530) that was introduced that would have virtually ended dredging in Oregon got hung in committee, and the Senator that introduced it, pulled it from consideration.  There was just not enough timeleft to get it through.  So the waters that were still open due to the moratorium still are, and no fee changes that I know of. 

     

    Waiting on the new permit application to show up and getting back to the build.

     

    The bad news is that he plans on bringing that bill or something worse back next year in the 6 month session and promises to ram it through even without bi-partisan support.  And right now the majority party has the votes to do it in both houses....................

    ARTHUR WAUGH
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    29 Apr 2016 02:32 PM
    Well, good news------Oregon DEQ got the 2016 700PM permit application and interactive map up on their webpage today (4/29/2016) .  $25.00 fee for the year.  You can fill out and print off the application from the webpage.  You can specify 3 locations, and if you need more, you can file another application at no charge when you get your permit and number.  Be sure to read all the rules and regs for the hoops you need to hop through.
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