Resources Coalition Latest News and Information

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05/08/2010

As anticipated, because of this year’s legislation (SHB 2935, AN ACT Relating to environmental and land use hearings boards), WDFW filed an "PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY" (CR-101) (more commonly refered to as intent to conduct rule making) with the Code Reviser on April 29, 2010. It is in the register as WSR 10-10-050.
The specific Rule's and public comment period will be available when they File the CR-102, "Proposed Rule Making" which is expected to be filed on or after June 23, 2010. Comments regarding the Preproposal must be made by June 9, 2010.
They also filed a CR101 WSR 10-06-039 on February 23, 2010.

Idaho 2010 Dredge Permit
It appears that since the NPDES to conduct placer mining operations for small suction dredges in Idaho is not yet complete and for other internal State issues, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) is providing dredge permits in the form of a letter permit for 2010.
As provided in the Permit Instructions: "When a recreational dredge operator is in possession of the March 19, 2010, “IDWR Idaho Recreational Dredge Authorization (LETTER PERMIT)” that has been properly completed and signed by the dredge operator, and the operator has paid the appropriate fee to the IDWR as described under the section “Definitions and Special Restrictions/Requirements” below, and dredging operations are conducted in accordance with these “Instructions,” the dredge operator is considered in compliance with the State of Idaho Stream Channel Act."
Application fee:
($10.00) dollars for Idaho residents
($30.00) dollars for non residents.
The fee and a readable copy of your original, completed LETTER PERMIT along with readable copies of any additional required documentation may be delivered or mailed to:
Department of Water Resources
322 East Front Street
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0098
(or delivered to any IDWR office with required fee in the form of cash, check, or money order.)
The dredger must have in their possession the original of their LETTER PERMIT and a copy of their check or money order fee payment.

04/17/2010

Dear Friends;
Oregon DEQ is currently rewriting the 700-PM Suction Dredge Mining Permit for Oregon. They expect to release the Final Draft for public comment on April 22, 2010,(Earth Day.) There will be a 35 day comment period, three public meetings (Pendleton, Portland, and Medford), and they plan to have the new permit approved and adopted by the end of June, 2010. Attached please find:
1. 700PM GP PREDraft (proposed permit).
2. BMP CrossRef (comparison between present permit and proposed).
3. DEQ - BACKGROUND and Q&A'S.

Note that a meeting was held at DEQ Portland on April 13, 2010, to discuss this proposed terrible permit. At that meeting, approx. 60 or so miners attended from all over Oregon (plus greenies, and other interested parties). This is the link to DEQ's Water Quality Permit Program - Metal Mining Activities Website. Someday, somewhere you should find a link to a recording of that meeting.

At the meeting, DEQ was not prepared to answer any real questions. Oregon miners are getting screwed!!!!!!

Read more in a related news story Public Hearing on Permits for Placer Mining in Oregon Streams Bitterly Received By Johnny Kilroy on April 14, 2010 (TENTHMIL)
Currently, we are trying to arrange a consultation meeting (as required by law) between miners and DEQ. This meeting will hopefully be held in Salem, OR, sometime after April 22. Space may be limited, so we are looking for representatives from mining orgs to attend this meeting. If you are interested, please contact me and let me know.

04/15/2010

The Washington State legislature, after a 60-day regular session and 29 days in Special Session, has adjourned for this year. At "Sine Die", SB 6448, HPA FEE's died in the Senate Rules Committee. But we can't let our guard down, it can be resurrected by resolution next January and probably will.

What's next.... As a result of other legislation, WDFW & DNR will be conducting Rule Making to amend agency rules to come into compliance. There may even be a need for the Environmental Hearings Office (EHO) to hold rule making as they incorporate the Habitat Appeals Board and the Forest Practices Hearing Board into Pollution Control Hearings Board. Based on a letter received by Peter Birch, Acting Assistant Director, Habitat Program, we can also expect significant rule making to amend the agency rules dealing with Small Scale Mineral Prospecting and Mining (WAC 220-110-200 thru 206). As a result of documentation that we have received due to a FOIA request to NOAA NMFS, we have an idea what some of the changes might be. This will be a serious issue for all to keep abreast of.

To remain informed when these rule making processes start, I suggest that you contact each of the State agencies and request to be "notified of any Expedited or Significant Rule Making"

Bill Thomas
President
Resources Coalition

04/01/2010

Video of Fred Kelly Grant (American Stewards of Liberty) giving a speech on COORDINATION at the 3rd annual Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR) Banquet March 20, 2010.
Video Link

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