Last Post 28 Feb 2017 03:52 AM by  William Adams
GRANT COUNTY, OREGON
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EDMOND WHITE JR
Greenhorn
Greenhorn
Posts:20



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20 Feb 2016 07:59 PM

    Just checking to see if anyone knows if they decided what can be used in Oregon or not on a claim with a river going in it. like classifying bucket to spiral wheel or crushed rock to blue bowl. YEAH I'm bad at panning had to cheat LOL. Of course metal detecting and if you need a permit for the little stuff like that

    ARTHUR WAUGH
    Advanced Member
    Advanced Member
    Posts:967



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    21 Feb 2016 06:21 AM

    As of this moment, if it is Essential Salmon Habitat (ESH), Bull Trout, or Threatened Cutthroat areas, no motorized equipment allowed in the waters or within 100 yards on either side if it affects water quality.  That determination is up to the officer on the ground talking to you.  The exception is waters that have no fish passage, ie. a dam on ESH with no fish ladder or wheel, or some natural impassable feature (like a waterfall they can't get over).  Motorized includes electric or battery operated equipment, as well as gas engines.

     

    That being said there is a bill in the legislature that will add those now open waters to the moratorium.  SB 1530, you can track it on line, just search for Oregon Legislature bill tracker and plug in SB 1530.  As of Friday (19th) it was in committee and had not yet hit the floor.

     

    There will eventually be a small public panning only area in the Prairie City area when the new BLM management plan is implemented, but that is probably 3-5 years out right now.

    EDMOND WHITE JR
    Greenhorn
    Greenhorn
    Posts:20



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    21 Feb 2016 02:39 PM
    So basically if I keep my main electric equipment over 100yds away with the water self contained not much they can say just a little extra walking. what about hand dredges
    ARTHUR WAUGH
    Advanced Member
    Advanced Member
    Posts:967



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    22 Feb 2016 05:47 AM

    If by hand dredge you mean a sucker tube, you are good to go with those, along with hand tools, pans and non-motorized sluices.  Gravity dredges are also included in the moratorium.   Also be aware of 303 listed waters and motorized equipment.  303 listings can be for a varity of reasons from iron, mercury, arsenic levels to sediment issues to temperature.

     

    Your electric recircs are good to go, but if you plan to pump water then you might fall under the 600 permit.  If you are talking just a few gallons of water in a bin, you should be OK.

     

    As far as metal detecting, as long as you are prospecting you are good, if you are relic hunting then the 50 year old rule falls into place on public land.

    William Adams
    New Member
    New Member
    Posts:25



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    28 Feb 2017 03:52 AM

    Thanks for the references

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