Latest news on Calif. AB1032

[kcoulson]

here is a link:

http://bb.bbboy.net/thenew49ers-viewthread...&thread=218

[Reno Chris]

Good News! I know only a few here followed this, but it was a direct attack on California's dredge operators - small "recreational" prospector folks like us. To a certain extent, an attack on one group of small prospectors is an attack on all of us. After the bill was passed in the CA legislature, a number of folks objected, and Arnold decided to veto the bill!

Here's the governor's reply.....

BILL NUMBER: AB 1032

VETOED DATE: 10/13/2007

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1032 without my signature.

The purpose of this bill is to protect fish and wildlife from the

potential deleterious effects of suction dredge mining. Although I

appreciate the author's intent and the need to protect our fish,

wildlife, and water resources, this bill is unnecessary.

Current law gives the Department of Fish and Game (Department) the

necessary authority to protect fish and wildlife resources from

suction dredge mining. It has promulgated regulations and issues

permits for this activity. Permits for suction dredge mining must

ensure that these operations are not deleterious to fish and allow

the Department to specify the type and size of equipment to be used.

In its regulations, the Department may also designate specific

waters or areas that are closed to dredging.

It is unclear why this bill specifically targets a number of specific

waterways for closure or further restrictions. The listed waterways

represent only a small fraction of the waters in our State where

suction dredging is occurring. The benefit or protection from such a

minor closure is negligible and supports the notion that scientific

environmental review should precede such decisions.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger

[nuggethunting]

Hello Guys,

Actually I follow these threads pretty close, but don't post much on them. I used to spend a lot of time dredging here in Arizona. If these type of bills get passed in California, it's just a matter of time until they get passed in other states where we can dredge.

Would love for Arizona to get some good rains this Winter so some of the major gold bearing drainages would run.

Great to hear "The Terminator" shot down the bill!

Rob Allison

[kcoulson]

A big thank you to all that sent letters, emails and faxes.

I am sure it was the response from miners everywhere that made the difference.

It does not matter if you are not a dredger. We all need to be alert to assaults on mining in any form. After dredging is closed it is only a matter of time before shovels will be outlawed.

Ken

[dutch john]

The ICMJ really did a great job... Sally forewarded the PLP's information

regarding the link to the Governors website. For those of you who posted

to Governor Schwarzenegger... I'm impressed by your knowledge and

the courtesy you extended.

I'm sure that this helped as someone(?) in the Governors office may have

taken time to read them all...

There were a few negative angry responses supposedly sent by several

who were for the implementation of AB 1024... Keep in mind the Bill passed(!)

the California Lrgislatures and had the Governor signed.......

So guys... take it from an "old Rock" (me), who is slowly turning to "sand"...

You all need to stick together... One for All, and All for One.

[Allen in MT]

I got a copy of the petition about a week ago and sent in my thought to Arnie baby and asked him to veto this bill and then sent it on to others. In the mining and prospecting business what happens in one state is not just there problem but everyones problem. As soon as they get something banned in one state they will then pursue us in another state. I applaud all of you who got in on this petition and helped keep this from being law.

The miners and prospectors are the weakest link out there, all outdoor users from off roaders, hunters, hikers, fishermen, loggers are all targets of these liberals. Once we are knocked down they will then go after another group that used the outdoors. good fight

Allen in MT

[kcoulson]

A lot of people had a hand in helping stop this terrible bill.

For those of you that don't know- The New 49er's spent a lot of money on hiring lawyers, experts to testify at hearings and professional lobbying firms. Many of us not only wrote letters, emails and phone but also donated money (lots of it) to help stop this. In the end I believe that it was the large number of people that were counted as being against this bill.

So when you are asked to send a letter or make a call please do so. Your letter or call may be the one that turned the tide.

The good guys won this one. Congratulations to all that participated.

Ken

[dutch john]

Ken... You are correct. It was many others... such as the "New 49ers, ICMJ, PLP,

and the others who very generously gave both their time and money to inform and

alert all of the small prospectors and miners regarding AB 1032.

The ICMJ certainly has been one of the leading sources advocating for us small

prospectors. Both their monthly magazine and website have been dedicated to

alerting us to the upcoming issues... And we sure need to also give the small but

dedicated PLP leaders and also many of the GPAA affiliated chapters, Prospecting

Associations and all others for giving up both their time and money to also keep

informing and encouraging us to "stay the course" and to write letters, make

phone calls, send faxes, and send e-mails...

Now... hopefully we will all "follow the rules" and "self regulate" so as not set any bad

examples to "fireup" any negative publicity... Not only while dredging, sluicing and

panning; but also while drywashing, rock and gem hounding, relic hunting, detecting

and all other phases of prospecting, mining and milling. And this would also include coin

and beach hunting.