Oregon Mining in 2017?

[libertydave]

Realizing that dredges and high-bankers in Oregon have a current prohibition on use it would be helpful if anyone can comment/advise on the restrictions the Oregon government has imposed regarding the use of manual mining equipment including simple panning and sluicing...and if the equipment is self-contained (as within a tub)...can small motorized pumps be used to circulate water within the closed system. Thanks in advance.

Liberty Dave

[russau]

Dave I would comment BUT I'd have to censor myself !

[libertydave]

I agree Russ....Sad situation both in CA and OR. So many years mining down on their rivers and streams. I have a single digit salute saved to send to each of those idiots who banned mining. I'm wondering if you can do some light manual mining or is even that type of mining prohibited. Anyone out there know including EO miners or Waldo folks??

[Hoser John]

GDMFSOB bureauratz have turned mining into a minefield of insanity ....John

[russau]

Yep it's gotten to that point John!

[libertydave]

From a lot of phone calls made to Oregon people and officials here are their replies. Also (as requested) all who commented remain unidentified.

1. Oregon remains locked up for most gold dredging and high banking with prohibition on all mechanical mining methods within State streams and rivers, even very small-scale h-bankers and suction dredges. As for operating mining equipment in Oregon streams..."size does NOT matter".

2. But there remains mixed views on manual mining methods such as panning and sluicing. Most said it is still legal, but beware of confused law enforcement officers who do not know the extent of their authority on this matter. Also mixed comments on using small self-contained systems such as classifiers and closed system recirculating recovery tools, even when operated completely within the confines of a large tub.

3. What I also learned...there is this matter of operating mining equipment a minimum 300' from stream flow??? Huh? Seems it does not matter whether power is from a small electric motor driven water pump or from a gasoline engine...most say Oregon officials MAY write you a citation...if you get caught. When I contacted a couple of local law enforcement agencies some described this prohibition as (I'll quote)..."difficult to enforce". Other said they have more pressing public safety priorities.

If anyone can add more to this post or provide better clarification PLEASE respond. The whole matter of small-scale gold mining in Oregon remains a mess.

LD

[Matt Mattson]

Dave: I agree it doesn't look good. At present, almost all the legislators hear from are the heads of the "environmental" concerns, and I suspect they get hefty campaign checks from them as well (ironically the money would come from the sue and settle cases agains the states allowing independent mining). I addressed that scam in the latest movie: https://youtu.be/TyCl-g8g7jU but they'll probably never see it. Most legislators as you pointed out in the past don't even know what the activity is. A link to the Oregon Senate Democrats is here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senate/Pages/SenatorsDemocrats.aspx Republicans here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senate/Pages/senatorsRepublicans.aspx perhaps the interested could at least send them something positive about our activities.

[russau]

Matt , very good instructional video! You ought to send its link to every Oregon socalled "representative" there is!!! Then they wont have the excuse that they didn't know!

[libertydave]

Russ, I agree and a special thank you to Matt...well done in communicating our message...if we could get it to those who need the education.

We all know that there is a lot of power broking from lobbying groups hired to represent the enviros in sustaining government endorsement for their green agenda. And also there are the non-elected staffers who support the elected government officials who often become a firewall. Influence and big money gets contributed to elected officials in form of contributions directed to re-election war chests and compare these forces to what we small scale miners contribute. Challenges...yes, but the battle is a worthy one.

LD

[russau]

Well I believe that its just a shame that our socalled "representatives" are doing so much negative actions that hold our Country back that I personally think that it is UNAMERICAN in their actions and run afoul to their oath of office for all party's involved! These socalled "representatives of ours (?) represent their party and NOT America or Her Peoples best interests!!!!! They need to be reminded of their oath of office from every American that still wants the American dream ! BUT there are still to mant people that are STILL waiting in line for the FREE STUFF they were promised and will NEVER GET ! Untill Americans wake up and see whats going on and STOP thinking there's NOTHING they can do , we will continue to be DOMINATED over from these political party's and "they're way of greedy power over us! I've always said , "We will never get out of this cycle until we get a Prez. that ISNT a politition and is a successful business man to get things done!" Well here we are ! I hope I was correct! Just look at the millions of dollars that these jerks are spending just to keep our nation back and all the political stuff that needs tobe getting done isn't because of all they're bickering! I say, bring them up on charges for violating they're oath of office and prosecute them ! THAT may get them back into acting and doing what we voted them into office to do ! WHEW! Its waaaaaaay past time for them to represent the people and NOT THERY'RE PARTYS INTERESTS !!!!!