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Salmon Protections Strike Calif.'s New '49ers

Gold prospectors banned from using 21st-century dredgers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2009 6:44 AM CST

(Newser) – Prospectors seeking to join California's new gold rush are facing an upstream battle amid moves to protect the state's salmon stocks. Suction dredge mining, which uses gas-powered machines to scrape gold from river beds, has been banned while its environmental impact is reviewed, a process expected to take until 2011. The move came after pressure from the Karuk tribe, which was devastated during the original 1849 gold rush, the Telegraph reports.

"Our original intent was not to shut down dredging statewide, but because the new 49ers and these mining clubs fought us so hard, we had little alternative but to challenge the rules," says a spokesman for the 3,500-strong tribe. Prospectors complain that dredging is the only way to get at some deposits and are considering trying their luck in Oregon or Washington instead of going back to panning streams 19th-century style.

Russ Kurz, 77, carries up a bucket full of  sand and gravel that he will use to demonstrate gold panning for a school group along the American River in Coloma, Calif.
Russ Kurz, 77, carries up a bucket full of sand and gravel that he will use to demonstrate gold panning for a school group along the American River in Coloma, Calif.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
New 49ers gold mining club founder Dave McCracken shows off gold he pulled from the bottom of the Klamath River near Happy Camp, Calif. with his suction dredge.
New 49ers gold mining club founder Dave McCracken shows off gold he pulled from the bottom of the Klamath River near Happy Camp, Calif. with his suction dredge.   (AP Photo/Jeff Barnard)
A sign displaying the current price of gold is seen at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, Calif., Thursday, April 16, 2009.
A sign displaying the current price of gold is seen at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, Calif., Thursday, April 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 4, 2009 11:21 AM CST
Suction dredging is seriously damaging. It cannot be allowed in good conscience. For once let's put sense above dollars.
Spudsy
Nov 4, 2009 4:38 AM CST
I found panning to be very relaxing when I tried it on vacation. I intend to do some time with the pan whenever this economy lets me retire. Or makes me homeless.
cochiserocks
Nov 3, 2009 12:47 PM CST
Yeeeeehaw old timer! Good to see the old ways are still about.

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