Though there is still some rain here and there, some very nice spring weather has set in along the Klamath River. The days are getting longer. The river is running clear and gradually dropping to summertime lows. More and more members are showing up. There is plenty of excited chatter going on amongst members over coffee most mornings at our headquarters in Happy Camp.
We are contemplating other ways to make use of gravity to supply our recovery systems with water this coming season. You can expect to see much more gravity innovation happening along our extensive properties until our legal challenges are finally concluded and we can use motors again without worry over being hassled by State officials.
I am aware of one member who has been using gravity to direct water flow through a suction hose and nozzle in the river.
It’s difficult to predict how busy this season will be. Several members have called in to let us know they will wait for us to win motors back before they return. Others have called in with excitement about the approaching season. Initial signups for our weekend group mining projects are pretty strong. We have booked the local Grange Hall for our Saturday evening potlucks all summer, beginning on the 4th of June, and we hope to see you there.
Legal Updates
All or most of the ongoing litigation over suction dredging in California State court is on hold until the California Supreme Court issues a decision on the Rinehart case. There is no telling when that is going to happen.
The New 49’er Legal Fund has retained a specialty law firm in Sacramento to evaluate the prospect of a federal challenge to California’s new water quality law (SB 637) which redefined “suction dredging” to include any mechanized device used to excavate or process material for gold within one hundred yards of any waterway. We expect a report and recommendation from the firm within the next few weeks. Based upon their recommendations, The Legal Fund will likely move ahead without delay. It seems wise to keep all further details confidential until the lawsuit is actually filed. Please stay tuned.
The federal challenge to Oregon’s moratorium on motorized mining failed at the district level. Here is the terribly flawed Decision.
A Notice of Appeal has already been filed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Naturally, the State of California has attempted to submit the terribly flawed, unpublished Oregon Decision (from a magistrate; not even a judge) into the California Supreme Court proceedings. You can find our strenuous objections right here. This will give you a taste of what the Oregon Appeal will address.
Once again, it is difficult to predict how long these legal proceedings will take. I suggest it is unlikely there is much chance of a legal 2016 mining season with the use of motors along most of the gold-bearing waterways in the State of Oregon.
Let’s not give up. The battle is not over in California or Oregon!
Three Ounces of Klamath River Gold Nuggets!
To encourage your support in replenishing The New 49’ers Legal Defense Fund, The New 49’ers are allowing three ounces of Klamath River gold nuggets to be split into 25 prizes in this fund-raiser! The drawing will take place during our Saturday evening potluck in Happy Camp on 25 June 2016.
You do not need to be a member of our organization to participate. You are welcome to be at the drawing, but you do not need to be present to win.
Our office will automatically generate a ticket in your name for every $10 legal contribution we receive ($100 would generate 10 tickets). There is no limit to the size or frequency of your contributions, or to the number of prizes you can win.
Legal contributions can be arranged by calling (530) 493-2012, by mailing to The New 49’ers Legal Fund, P.O. Box 47, Happy Camp, CA 96039, or online.
2016 Weekend Group Prospecting Programs
All weekend events are free to Full & Associate Members!
This season, at least until the legal question about using motors is resolved, we will be demonstrating how to recover volume-amounts of gold using non-mechanized methods of mining. Believe me when I say that there still remain viable methods of recovering Mother Nature’s golden treasure! You might be really surprised! With all the people who participate in our weekend projects, my guess is that the gold production will not change by much. All participants will receive an equal share of the gold we recover.
Schedule of Events: June 4 & 5; June 25 & 26; July 16 & 17; August 6 & 7; August 27 & 28
The New 49’ers provide all of the sluicing equipment and boats used in these projects. You will need to have your own basic digging tools, gold pan (available in the prospecting shop in Happy Camp) and transportation. You will also need to provide your own lodging and nourishment.
Group projects are limited to a manageable number of participants. Scheduling in advance is strongly advised to ensure a position on any specific weekend project: 530 493-2012.
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The New 49’ers Prospecting Association, 27 Davis Road, Happy Camp, California 96039 (530) 493-2012 www.goldgold.com
