After requests from coastal residents and stakeholders a meeting was held last week by State Parks to provide information and take input on the recently passed gold mining rule for Washington beaches. The comment period is being extended. Please email your comments to Lisa Lantz by Thursday, March 1 or call direct (360) 902-8641. Comments received will help decide whether or not to open the rule for a formal review.
BACKGROUND:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission adopted a rule to allow small-scale mining, beach prospecting, and placer mining on Washington's coastal beaches. These are the beaches spanning the Pacific Coast from the Columbia River to Neah Bay, not including tribal lands or the National Park.
COMMENTS TO CONSIDER:
The rule to allow beach mining should be opened to a new rule-making process that allows input from all interested parties.
The rule needs more clarity. In its current form, it does not spell out considerations for the protection of sensitive marine species or habitats and it is unclear about how many people can mine under one permit or how much equipment can be allowed at any one location.
Forage fish, a vital food source for endangered salmon, spawn on coastal beaches. Research should be done in the area of mapping these spawning areas so accommodations can be made during mining activities.
Read the current rule.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment