by old gold miner » Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:36 pm
THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS
The word “certain” is premature.
PLP v. SB 670 is a contest about who is right & who is wrong.
That contest is based on LAW.
It is also based on how well one presents the law to the Judge.
Given, PLP has a clear preponderance of both Federal & State Law on its side.
As well as set those governing precedents forth in a proper manner.
The odds are near “certain“, PLP suit will not be dismissed at the February 25th hearing.
Assuming, the PLP suit is not dismissed.
That adds considerable merit and tons of weight that an “injunction” will be granted at the March 25th hearing (or shortly thereafter).
The anticipated difficulty being, what will the “injunction” include?
I would make a significant wager, it will strike down the statewide total “prohibition” on suction dredging.
As being “preempted” by federal law.
If so, that means CA DFG is obligated to immediately issue suction dredge permits, per pre-existing regulations.
The immediate difficulty I see (assuming that happens) is, no 2010 suction dredge applications are on line.
How the hell can you “apply” for a permit, without an application. You cannot.
With that in mind, I brought that subject up to PAC/DFG.
That, they should as, a wise contingency, prepare to make permit application available, when required by federal injunction, they must.
The stance of DFG throughout all this is to totally ignore governing federal mining law.
But, they CANNOT ignore a federal court order, directed straight at them.
Unless, they would prefer being held in contempt, arrested, hand cuffed & spend some time in jail.
But, since when has DFG acted smartly, and quickly?
Clearly, the hand writing is on the wall, an ‘injunction” most probably will happen.
All the WORLD will see that coming when PLP v. SB 670 is not dismissed February 25th .
Again, DFG operates ignoring whatever they want, legal or not.
As such, only time will tell what / how / when these things will happen here.
I just hope for the best, meaning dredges back in the water ASAP.