[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waters that are withdrawn from mineral entry.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to all mineral withdrawn lands administered by the Folsom Resource 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