Regulations
Guest on GPAA Claims and Leases
Your active GPAA Membership benefits include spouse or significant other and all children under the age of 18 residing within the household.
As a GPAA Member and to preserve your GPAA Membership benefits, you may invite up to 4 guests while you are prospecting on a GPAA claim or lease. Your family members and guest must be accompanied by you as the primary GPAA Member and understand that as a family member or nonmember they cannot return to the site without you.
Your guests are limited to gold panning, or they may assist you in limited prospecting and must help in the federally required reclamation. Guests are not allowed to operate their own equipment or any members additional equipment.
GPAA Code of Ethics.
GPAA Code of Ethics must be adhered to by all GPAA Member and their guest.
These Code of Ethics have been in place since 1970. Please follow this link to GPAA Code of Ethics. https://www.goldprospectors.org/Forum/aft/7665
Prospecting and Mining on Private Lands outside of your GPAA - LDMA Membership must only be done with the express written consent of the landowner. Failure to have permission constitutes trespassing.
Federal and State Regulations
The Federal agencies BLM and USFS have federal regulations and policies in place for all federally managed public lands.
States are required to meet federal regulations and in cases of proven environmental impact and water quality concerns they may with federal approval exceed federal regulations.
The GPAA Claims Department is on all federal and state regulations mailings and when we have updated information, the information is included in this section.
It is however essential that members contact the regions federal and state offices prior to prospecting in areas where they are unaware of current regulations. Regulations can change with federal and state delays in informing claim owners.
ARIZONA
Prospecting on private (patented) lands requires permission from the land owner prior to any such activities.
Prospecting is not allowed on Arizona State Trust Lands. However, you are required to have an Arizona State Recreational Permit for camping and parking on State Trust lands.
These permits are easily obtained Online through the Arizona Recreational Portal and are $15.00 for an individual or $20.00 per family yearly. Please follow this link to file and electronically receive your permit. https://asld.secure.force.com/recreationalpermit/
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT:
§ 3809.5 How does BLM define certain terms used in this subpart?
As used in this subpart, the term:
Casual use means activities ordinarily resulting in no or negligible disturbance of the public lands or resources. For example -
(1) Casual use generally includes the collection of geochemical, rock, soil, or mineral specimens using hand tools; hand panning; or non-motorized sluicing. It may include use of small portable suction dredges. (When allowed by state laws) It also generally includes use of metal detectors, gold spears and other battery-operated devices for sensing the presence of minerals, and hand and battery-operated drywashers. Operators may use motorized vehicles for casual use activities provided the use is consistent with the regulations governing such use (part 8340 of this title), off-road vehicle use designations contained in BLM land-use plans, and the terms of temporary closures ordered by BLM.
(2) Casual use does not include use of mechanized earth-moving equipment, truck-mounted drilling equipment, motorized vehicles in areas when designated as closed to “off-road vehicles” as defined in § 8340.0-5 of this title, chemicals, or explosives. It also does not include “occupancy” as defined in § 3715.0-5 of this title or operations in areas where the cumulative effects of the activities result in more than negligible disturbance.
BLM Casual Use - Can include equipment motor size regulated to LESS THAN 10 Horsepower. This is regulated and defined by each BLM Divisional office and in accordance with state regulations. You must contact the BLM regional or district office for current information regarding Motorized, Mechanical or compounded equipment.
United State Forest Service Lands:
Gold Prospecting & Sluicing on the Forest
Most of the National Forests in the western states are open to prospecting and mining, including panning and sluicing for gold.
Please follow this link for specific National Regulations https://www.fs.usda.gov/gsearch/gold%2Bprospecting%2B
Understand that regulations change, and it is your responsibility to contact local National Forest administration for current regs in areas you are prospecting.
State offices
including water regulatory, Fish & Game and other state agencies that oversee lands must be contacted to assure that you are prospecting within additional guidelines for public land use.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Arizona State Office
One North Central Avenue, Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4427
Telephone: 602-417-9200
Fax: 602-417-9398
State Director: Raymond Suazo
Associate State Director: Deborah Rawhouser
Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F
Public Information Center Hours: 9am - 4pm, M-F
Colorado River District
2610 Sweetwater Avenue
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406-9071
Phone: (928) 505-1200
Fax: (928) 505-1208
District Manager: Roxie Trost
Kingman Field Office
2755 Mission Boulevard
Kingman, AZ 86401-5308
Phone: (928) 718-3700
Fax: (928) 718-3761
Email: KFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov
Field Manager: Ruben Sanchez
Lake Havasu Field Office
2610 Sweetwater Avenue
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406-9071
Phone: (928) 505-1200
Fax: (928) 505-1208
Email: LHFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov
Field Manager: Kim Liebhauser
Yuma Field Office
2555 East Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ 85365-2240
Phone: (928) 317-3200
Fax: (928) 317-3250
Email: YFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov
Field Manager: John MacDonald
Gila District
3201 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756
Phone: (520) 258-7200
Fax: (520) 258-7238
District Manager: Tim Shannon
Safford Field Office
711 14th Avenue
Safford, AZ 85546-3337
Phone: (928) 348-4400
Fax: (928) 348-4450
Email: SFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov
Field Manager: Scott Cooke
Tucson Field Office
3201 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756
Phone: (520) 258-7200
Fax: (520) 258-7238
Email: TFOWEB_AZ@blm.gov
Field Manager: Vi Hillman
Phoenix District
21605 N. 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929
Phone: (623) 580-5500
Fax: (623) 580-5580
District Manager: Mary D’Aversa
Hassayampa Field Office
21605 N. 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929
Phone: (623) 580-5500
Fax: (623) 580-5580
Field Manager: Rem Hawes
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., M-F
Lower Sonoran Field Office
21605 N. 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929
Phone: (623) 580-5500
Fax: (623) 580-5580
Field Manager: Ed Kender
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.,
M-F
Regulations
Prospecting on private property requires the land owner’s permission.
Prospecting (other than panning) on National Forest lands may require a Notice of Intent or a formal Plan of Operation. Panning does NOT require a permit. Check wiht the District Ranger for specific regulations and guidelines.
Important Information Regarding Dredging In California
A number of legislative actions coupled with numerous active lawsuits since 2009 has continued to keep suction dredging from being allowed in the state of California. This situation is ever-evolving, so for the most current updates on dredging in the state, please stay tuned to the official suctions dredging website from the California department of Fish and Wildlife which can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/suctiondredge/
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
License & Revenue Branch
3211 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 928-5805
Region 1 - 601 Locust Street - Redding, CA 96001 - (530) 225-2300
Region 2 - 1701 Nimbus Road - Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 - (916) 358-2900
Region 3 - 7329 Silverado Trail - Napa, CA 94558 - (707) 944-5500
Region 4 - 1234 East Shaw Street - Fresno, CA 93710 - (559) 243-4005
Marine Region - 4665 Lampson Ave. Suite C - Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - (562) 342-7100
Eureka - 619 2nd St. - Eureka, CA 95501 - (707) 445-6493
Monterey - 20 Lower Ragsdale Dr. #100 - Monterey, CA 93490 - (831) 649-2870
San Diego - 3883 Ruffin Rd. - San Diego, CA 92123 - (858) 467-4201
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 978-4400
Fax: (916) 978-4416
State Director: Jerry Perez
Associate State Director: Joe Stout
Northern CA District
355 Hemsted Drive
Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 224-2100
Fax: (530) 224-2172
District Manager: Nancy Haug
Assoc. District Manager:
Dereck Wilson
Alturas Field Office
708 W. 12th St.
Alturas, CA 96101
Phone: (530) 233-4666
Fax: (530) 233-5696
Field Manager: Timothy Burke
Arcata Field Office
1695 Heindon Road
Arcata, CA 95521-4573
Phone: (707) 825-2300
Fax: (707) 825-2301
Field Manager: Lynda Roush
Eagle Lake Field Office
2950 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone: (530) 257-0456
Fax: (530) 257-4831
Field Manager: Ken Collum
Redding Field Office
355 Hemsted Drive
Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 224-2100
Fax: (530) 224-2172
Field Manager: Jennifer Mata
Surprise Field Office
602 Cressler Street, P.O. Box 460
Cedarville, CA 96104
Phone: (530) 279-6101
Fax: (530) 279-2171
Field Manager: Tim Burke, Acting
Central CA District
2800 Cottage Way W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 978-4400
Fax: (916) 978-4416
District Manager: Este Stifel
Assoc. District Manager:
Ruben Leal
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-6000
Fax: (661) 391-6041
Field Manager: Gabe Garcia
Bishop Field Office
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100
Bishop, CA 93514
Phone: (760) 872-5000
Fax: (760) 872-5050
Field Manager: Steve Nelson
Motherlode Field Office
5152 Hillsdale Circle
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone: (916) 941-3101
Fax: (916) 941-3199
Field Manager: William Haigh
Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-5000
Fax: (831) 630-5055
Field Manager: Rick Cooper
Ukiah Field Office
2550 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
Phone: (707) 468-4000
Fax: (707) 468-4027
Field Manager: Rich Burns
CA Desert District
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Phone: (951) 697-5200
Fax: (951) 697-5299
District Manager: Teri Raml
Assoc. District Manager:
Tim Wakefield
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
Phone: (760) 252-6000
Fax: (760) 252-6098
Field Manager: Katrina Symons
El Centro Field Office
1661 S. 4th Street
El Centro CA 92243
Phone: (760) 337-4400
Fax: (760) 337-4490
Field Manager: Tom Zale
Needles Field Office
1303 S. Highway 95
Needles, CA 92363
Phone: (760) 326-7000
Fax: (760) 326-7099
Field Manager: Rusty Lee
Palm Springs South Field Office
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 833-7100
Fax: (760) 833-7199
Field Manager: John Kalish
Ridgecrest Field Office
300 S. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: (760) 384-5400
Fax: (760) 384-5499
Field Manager: Carl Symons
Regulations
Prospecting on private property requires the land owner’s permission.
Prospecting (other than panning) on National Forest lands may require a Notice of Intent or a formal Plan of Operation. Panning does NOT require a permit. Check wiht the District Ranger for specific regulations and guidelines.
Important Information Regarding Dredging In California
A number of legislative actions coupled with numerous active lawsuits since 2009 has continued to keep suction dredging from being allowed in the state of California. This situation is ever-evolving, so for the most current updates on dredging in the state, please stay tuned to the official suctions dredging website from the California department of Fish and Wildlife which can be found at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/suctiondredge/
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
License & Revenue Branch
3211 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 928-5805
Region 1 - 601 Locust Street - Redding, CA 96001 - (530) 225-2300
Region 2 - 1701 Nimbus Road - Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 - (916) 358-2900
Region 3 - 7329 Silverado Trail - Napa, CA 94558 - (707) 944-5500
Region 4 - 1234 East Shaw Street - Fresno, CA 93710 - (559) 243-4005
Marine Region - 4665 Lampson Ave. Suite C - Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - (562) 342-7100
Eureka - 619 2nd St. - Eureka, CA 95501 - (707) 445-6493
Monterey - 20 Lower Ragsdale Dr. #100 - Monterey, CA 93490 - (831) 649-2870
San Diego - 3883 Ruffin Rd. - San Diego, CA 92123 - (858) 467-4201
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 978-4400
Fax: (916) 978-4416
State Director: Jerry Perez
Associate State Director: Joe Stout
Northern CA District
355 Hemsted Drive
Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 224-2100
Fax: (530) 224-2172
District Manager: Nancy Haug
Assoc. District Manager:
Dereck Wilson
Alturas Field Office
708 W. 12th St.
Alturas, CA 96101
Phone: (530) 233-4666
Fax: (530) 233-5696
Field Manager: Timothy Burke
Arcata Field Office
1695 Heindon Road
Arcata, CA 95521-4573
Phone: (707) 825-2300
Fax: (707) 825-2301
Field Manager: Lynda Roush
Eagle Lake Field Office
2950 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone: (530) 257-0456
Fax: (530) 257-4831
Field Manager: Ken Collum
Redding Field Office
355 Hemsted Drive
Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 224-2100
Fax: (530) 224-2172
Field Manager: Jennifer Mata
Surprise Field Office
602 Cressler Street, P.O. Box 460
Cedarville, CA 96104
Phone: (530) 279-6101
Fax: (530) 279-2171
Field Manager: Tim Burke, Acting
Central CA District
2800 Cottage Way W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 978-4400
Fax: (916) 978-4416
District Manager: Este Stifel
Assoc. District Manager:
Ruben Leal
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-6000
Fax: (661) 391-6041
Field Manager: Gabe Garcia
Bishop Field Office
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100
Bishop, CA 93514
Phone: (760) 872-5000
Fax: (760) 872-5050
Field Manager: Steve Nelson
Motherlode Field Office
5152 Hillsdale Circle
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone: (916) 941-3101
Fax: (916) 941-3199
Field Manager: William Haigh
Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-5000
Fax: (831) 630-5055
Field Manager: Rick Cooper
Ukiah Field Office
2550 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
Phone: (707) 468-4000
Fax: (707) 468-4027
Field Manager: Rich Burns
CA Desert District
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Phone: (951) 697-5200
Fax: (951) 697-5299
District Manager: Teri Raml
Assoc. District Manager:
Tim Wakefield
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
Phone: (760) 252-6000
Fax: (760) 252-6098
Field Manager: Katrina Symons
El Centro Field Office
1661 S. 4th Street
El Centro CA 92243
Phone: (760) 337-4400
Fax: (760) 337-4490
Field Manager: Tom Zale
Needles Field Office
1303 S. Highway 95
Needles, CA 92363
Phone: (760) 326-7000
Fax: (760) 326-7099
Field Manager: Rusty Lee
Palm Springs South Field Office
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760) 833-7100
Fax: (760) 833-7199
Field Manager: John Kalish
Ridgecrest Field Office
300 S. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: (760) 384-5400
Fax: (760) 384-5499
Field Manager: Carl Symons