Citations issued by the Indiana DNR for collecting minerals??? Take a look at what is actually removed, 30 pounds of toxic lead, cadmium and other metal junk.... and a few flakes of gold. .Does the DNR believe that this toxic metal should remain in our waterways?
Short Answer: NO, the DNR wants to resolve this issue in a sensible way. They seem willing to work with myself and others to come up with a non-restrictive rule to allow recreational gold dredging to continue in Indiana without more criminal citations.
Short Answer: NO, the DNR wants to resolve this issue in a sensible way. They seem willing to work with myself and others to come up with a non-
Final Vote - Prospecting Lives!
Sept 22, 2009 - I attended the Natural Resources Committee meeting today, where the final vote on the new prospecting rules took place. I am happy to report that they voted unanimously to ratify the new rules. The only step left is for the State Attorney General to put his stamp of approval on it, this should happen within the next six weeks.
We have come a long way since the citations were first issued to myself and six others 24 months ago. The seven of us, with help from other prospectors, fought it in court and won. Next, I started the petition that hundreds of you signed to show that we were not alone in our resolve, Thank You All who signed! When I became aware of the Creek Gravel Rules from Mike Phelps, Mike and I met with a State Representative and formulated our plan, which included contacting the Indiana GPAA Chapters to make them aware of the situation. I talked to Mark Bender who suggested I contact Carl Kelle and others. I reserved the Campground at Tall Sycamore and arranged a meeting with the Central Chapter, whose newly elected president was completely oblivious to what was going on. Mike and I wanted to be sure that all concerned prospectors could have a voice in this. Early on, at the first NRC meeting, most of us realized that the DNR wanted to work with us, not against us. One person couldn’t get that through his head and almost derailed the whole process by disrupting the meeting in a child like fashion, after the NRC Chairman had already apologized and said “we will make this right for you”. Most of his negative comments were strickened from the record and do not show up in the minutes of the meeting, since it would have reflected badly on all prospectors and the NRC. This same individual was, at a later time, pushing for a special permit that would only allow prospecting at one location in Southern Indiana and could care less about the rest of the state. I believe we would have ended up like Michigan if he had been allowed to continue unchecked. Fortunately, we were able to keep him out of the entire process from that point on and the results speak for themselves, we now have some of the best recreational prospecting regulations in the Country!
As of December 3rd, 2009 the new Indiana prospecting rules are in effect! We have achieved our goal of prospecting freedom for all Hoosiers and out of state visitors. Now let’s all try to act responsibly and not test the limits of the new rules. We have a very good thing and it only takes one careless person to mess it up for everyone. Best of luck to you all in 2010, the “Golden” year for Indiana!
Finally we have achieved what some considered to be impossible, legal recreational prospecting in Indiana without fear of the DNR looking over your shoulder. We had some difficulties early on, even within our own camp, but we were able to work past them and move on for the greater good of all recreational prospectors. Although, I have been involved in this as a representative of not only myself, but also the hundreds of fellow prospectors who have called or emailed me over the last 24 months, this has certainly been a group effort and I would like to thank all who’s time and effort actually helped to make this a reality, including Carl Kelle (Southern Indiana Prospectors Assn.), Mike Phelps (representing most of the Central GPAA members) and Ed Romine (State GPAA director - for attending the final meeting). I would also like to thank Jim Simmons (NY Gold Prospectors) and others who contributed dredge studies and info to me that helped our cause! - Thanks, Chuck Lassiter
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Link to toxic lead and metal junk removed from Indiana Rivers with a recreational gold dredge - video CLICK HERE
