![]() ![]() Only a small number of streams in Washington open for these forms of mining, and That are critical habitat for freshwater fish, effectively prohibiting thisĪctivity in thousands of miles of streams and rivers. Regulations prohibit any form of motorized or gravity syphon mining in streams Miner must then acquire both the NPDES permit and a hydraulic permit from WDFW. If motorized mining is allowed in the target water, the Mining equipment must first confirm that the waters they want to mine are openįor motorized mining. ![]() The activity in a certain stream or drainage. Wanting to use motorized equipment must obtain two permits, oneĬertifying the activity will not degrade water quality and the other permitting Suction dredge mining on a Washington river. ![]() Permit) from the Washington State Department of Ecology before they can obtainĪ permit to work in state waters from WDFW. ![]() Motorized mining methods to obtain a water quality discharge permit (NPDES Mining from the Washington Gold and Fish Pamphlet and require miners using It took a long time, but Washington went from having one of the worst, most lenient instream mining laws in the western U.S. What began as an encounter with a suction dredge miner on a critical stream for steelhead-and witnessing the destruction of prime habitat first-hand-ended with a sense of satisfaction, having done everything we could to protect Washington’s iconic steelhead, salmon, and bull trout. Wild Steelheaders and Trout Unlimited helped lead the effort to better protect Washington’s freshwater fishes from this recreational activity. This April, advocates for wild steelhead scored a major victory when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commissioners approved new regulations governing suction dredge (motorized) mining in the state. She is a long time member of Trout Unlimited and currently is a member of the Washington State TU advocacy committee. Kim is a trained forester, working with clients in the Pacific Northwest on restoration of dry land forest landscapes and riparian areas. This guest post is from Kim McDonald, who is the founder of Fish Not Gold, which advocated for regulatory reform on motorized mining in Washington State. ![]()
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