[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2523]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-018-1990-02]
Recreation Management; Final Supplementary Rules; California
action: Final supplementary rules.
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summary: Establishment of Supplemental Rules for the management of
recreational suction dredging only on Public Lands and associated
waters that are withdrawn from mineral entry. These rules would apply
to all mineral withdrawn lands administered by the Folsom Resource
Area.
Casual use mineral hunting is allowed without a permit in the above
defined areas. Casual use mineral hunting is defined as removing gold
from the ground using gold pans, sluice boxes, hand shovels, metal
detectors, or picks. Casual use mineral hunting does not include any
activity using suction dredges, machinery, water pumps, or explosives.
The use of any suction dredge or water pump (power sluicing) is
allowed with a Special Recreation Permit issued by the Bureau of Land
Management, Folsom Resource Area. Using machinery to remove rock and
soil above the water level of a river or stream, commonly referred to
as ``highbanking'', is not allowed. Permits will not be issued for
areas designated wild rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Any persons camping in areas open to camping must comply with the
established 14 day camping limit published in the Federal Register on
October 26, 1983. Exceptions to this established rule will be only with
a Special Recreation Permit authorizing the holder to camp longer than
14 days.
Persons holding a Special Recreation Use Permit who fail to follow
the stipulations shall have the permit revoked by the Authorized
Officer.
No person shall:
1. Operate or possess a suction dredge or water pump (power sluice)
without a valid Special Recreation Permit. The definition of possess
includes having a suction dredge in the water or on the shore adjacent
to water.
2. Remove soil or rock above the water level with any machinery
(commonly referred to as ``highbanking'').
3. Camp over the established 14-day limit without having a valid
Special Recreation Use Permit.
4. Operate or possess a suction dredge or water pump (power sluice)
in violation of California permit requirements or California
established seasons. Supplemental Rule Number 4 shall apply to all
public lands administered by the Folsom Resource Area Office.
Any person who fails to comply with these Supplemental Rules may be
subject to fines up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12
months. These penalties are specified by title 43 of the United States
Code, section 303 and title 18 of the United States Code, section 3623.
dates: This rule will be in effect on March 1, 1997 and is permanent
until canceled, amended, or replaced.
for further information: Contact Deane Swickard, Area Manager, Bureau
of Land Management, Folsom Resource Area, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA
95630, (916) 985-4474.
supplementary information: Public Lands withdrawn from mineral entry
are currently unavailable for recreational mineral hunting by the
public. The recreational gold hunter who wishes to suction dredge or
gold pan must now locate an area open for mineral entry that is free
from claims. This process is very cumbersome to the person who wishes
to engage in this recreational activity. Opening some of the withdrawn
lands to the recreational gold hunter will greatly increase the
opportunities.
The public has expressed a need for places to gold pan and suction
dredge without the burden of mining claims. This Supplemental Rule will
make available rivers for the recreational gold hunter and will protect
the public lands and resources from unnecessary or undue degradation.
Authority for Supplemental Rules are contained in title 43 Code of
Federal Regulations, subpart 8364.1.
Deane K. Swickard,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-2523 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M