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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.trinityjournal.com/"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=650 height=140 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.gif@01CBDFF9.0E9779D0" alt="http://www.trinityjournal.com/styles/logo.gif"></span></a><span class=storyheadline><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span class=storyheadline><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'>Draft report suggests limited dredging</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>BY AMY GITTELSOHN <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>THE TRINITY JOURNAL <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="http://www.trinityjournal.com/sites/www.trinityjournal.com/files/images/2011-03-09/1p1.Large.jpg"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=250 height=188 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CBDFF9.0E9779D0" alt="A suction dredger works the South Fork of the Salmon River in Siskiyou County before such activity was banned awaiting study. "></span></a><span class=caption2>A suction dredger works the South Fork of the Salmon River in Siskiyou County before such activity was banned awaiting study. </span><b>As a moratorium continues on suction dredge mining for gold in California, the state Department of Fish and Game has proposed new regulations on the activity to protect fish.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>The DFG is taking public comment on the recently released Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Suction Dredge Permitting Program. The agency prepared the document to comply with a court order.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Suction dredge gold miners spend hours underwater in rivers, streams and lakes using a powerful vacuum to suck up sand, gravel and rock which is sent through a sluice box mounted on a floating platform. Most of the material continues through the sluice and out the other side, leaving the heavier gold in the sluice box.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>The draft document just released by DFG evaluates the potential environmental impacts of a proposed program and four alternatives. Under the proposed program, changes include: <o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>. A limit on the number of permits issued annually of 4,000, on a first-come, first served basis. Previously, there was no limit. On average, the DFG issued approximately 3,650 permits annually for the 15 years prior to the moratorium established in July 2009. However, in the early ‘80s, the number of permits issued was approximately 12,000.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>. Intake nozzles larger than 4 inches would not be allowed, except under certain conditions. Previously, nozzles could be up to 6 inches. Pump intakes would require screening.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>. Changes to seasonal and year-round closures for various water bodies throughout the state, based on potential for impacts to sensitive aquatic species. For example, the main stem Trinity River from the Humboldt line to the North Fork Trinity River would be open for dredging for four months from June 1 through Sept. 30. Many tributaries would be closed to suction dredging completely, such as the East Fork of the North Fork of the Trinity River. In other cases, streams that previously were closed to suction dredging would open to the activity.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>. There is also a long list of operating conditions, among them no dredging within three feet of the water’s edge.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Terry Cato, of Weaverville, has claims along the East Fork of the North Fork with his brother.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>He had not expected a complete closure there.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>“As a claimholder I’m not really pleased,” Cato said. “I definitely plan on filing some type of response to it so it can be addressed in their final draft.”<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Previously, the area was open to suction dredging from July through September. “That’s not during spawning season at all,” Cato said.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Although mining has not been a big source of income for him, it has been a way of life for at least 18 years, Cato said, adding, “I have certain rights as a claim holder and a miner.”<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>From the DFG, Environmental Program Manager Mark Stopher said the changes are proposed to protect many different kinds of fish, given updated information and species listed as threatened or endangered since regulations were previously written in 1994.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>“Most people think this is only about salmon and steelhead and it’s not,” he said, adding that statute says the DFG is to consider impacts to all fish, and that includes amphibians.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>While suction dredges are unlikely to harm adult fish, amphibians and smaller organisms aren’t likely to survive a trip through a suction dredge, Stopher said.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Furthermore, he said, the activity modifies habitat, including pools of cool water the fish use.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>“Sometimes it makes pools, sometimes it fills in pools,” he said, adding that the new pools might not be as good a place for fish.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>He said the chief concern on the East Fork of the North Fork is displacement of coho salmon, which are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Unlike chinook salmon, they spend over a year rearing in tributaries before migrating to the ocean. “There are no windows when they aren’t there,” he said.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>There has been much debate about release of mercury by suction dredge miners. The miners note that they capture far more mercury than they release, while opponents say they stir up mercury that was under the riverbed.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>However, Stopher said the DFG’s authority is limited, and while mercury may be a concern for humans consuming fish, “we did not change our regulations to control mercury because we couldn’t find an effect on fish.”<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>The DFG’s proposed changes came about as a result of a lawsuit. In 2005, the Karuk Tribe sued the agency for allowing suction dredge mining in areas known to be critical habitat for endangered and at-risk species. The suit ended in a court order in 2006 directing DFG to review and amend its regulations. The moratorium bill signed into law in 2009 suspended all suction dredging until DFG completes the mandated environmental impact report.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Thousands of comments are expected on the draft document, and some could cause changes. A final environmental impact report and proposed regulations are expected to be released in the fall, with the new regulations to be in effect before the end of the year, Stopher said.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Meanwhile, the temporary ban on suction dredge mining remains in effect — unless proposed legislation to lift the moratorium is successful. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>To comment <o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Five public hearings on the Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Suction Dredge Permitting Program have been scheduled throughout the state. Closest to Trinity, a hearing willbebeginat5pm.Thursday,March31,in Redding at the Shasta Senior Nutrition Program, 100 Mercy Oaks Drive, Redding, CA 96003.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>A 60-day public review period of the document ends April 29. Written comments should be directed to: California Department of Fish and Game, Attn: Mark Stopher, Suction Dredge Program Draft SEIR Comments, 601 Locust Street, Redding, CA 96001. Or e-mail <a href="mailto:dfgsuctiondredge@dfg.ca.gov">dfgsuctiondredge@dfg.ca.gov</a>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p><b>Documents can be reviewed online at <a href="http://www.dfg.ca.gov/suctiondredge" title="www.dfg.ca.gov/suctiondredge">www.dfg.ca.gov/suctiondredge</a>. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Byron Leydecker, JcT</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Chair, Friends of Trinity River</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>PO Box 2327</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Mill Valley, CA 94942-2327</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 383 4810 land</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 519 4810 mobile</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'><a href="mailto:bwl3@comcast.net"><span style='color:blue'>bwl3@comcast.net</span></a></span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'><a href="mailto:bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org"><span style='color:blue'>bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org</span></a> </span></i></b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>(secondary)</span></i><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'><a href="http://fotr.org/"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.fotr.org</span></a> </span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>