Managing Editor
California Superior Court Judge Gilbert Ochoa has postponed a hearing that was scheduled for Nov. 14 to Dec. 12 in the ongoing Mandatory Settlement Conference in the consolidated California dredging ban case from Nov. 14 to Dec.12.
The hearing was scheduled to hear motions to amend the complaints and petition to add the California State Water Resources Control Board and its director as parties to the litigation according to an email sent Nov. 10 to Public Lands for the People from attorney David Young. Young has represented PLP throughout the Mandatory Settlement Conference that was ordered in May.
PLP President Jerry Hobbs said in a phone interview with the Pick & Shovel Gazette Nov. 10 that the water board has threatened to interfere in any possible future dredging permit process and therefore needs to be called to the table now to avoid more lawsuits in the future.
Hobbs said Judge Ochoa needs to rule the issue of federal preemption to settle the ongoing dispute over suction dredge mining in the state.
For updates and background information on the miners' fight to end California's statewide dredging ban, go to www.goldprospectors.org under News.
Here are links to past articles about the fight in California. (in order of oldest to newest)
- California Miners Take on the State
- Update: California Dredging Ban Case
- Judge Postpones Dredging Ban Ruling
- OPINION: Day in court: A first-hand account
- OPINION: Dredging ban is just another brick in the wall
- NEWS ALERT: Dredgers left high and dry for summer
Brad Jones is the Managing Editor/Communications Director for the Gold Prospectors Association of America and the Lost Dutchman's Mining Association. He can be reached at bjones@goldprospectors.org.
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