FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1565

                         C 415 L 97

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Exempting small scale mining from the requirement of obtaining a hydraulic permit.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by  Representatives Mielke, Pennington, Carrell, Mulliken, Thompson and Cairnes).

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife is authorized to regulate mining activities within the high watermark of streams, rivers, and other water bodies of the state.  The regulation occurs through the hydraulic permit approval (HPA) process.   A written HPA permit is not required for persons who pan for gold using hand tools, including panning, mini-rocker boxes, and certain non-motorized sluice boxes if the persons follow the provisions in the department's AGold and Fish@ pamphlet.  The AGold and Fish@ pamphlet that describes when, where, and how gold mining can take place. Gold mining using motorized sluice boxes and dredging require a written HPA permit.

Summary:  By December 31, 1998, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to adopt a rule to regulate small scale prospecting activities.  The department must cooperate with the small scale prospecting community and other interested parties in developing the rule.  Within two months of rule adoption, the department must update and distribute a revised AGold and Fish@ pamphlet. 

ASmall scale mineral prospecting@ is defined as activities that use pans, sluice boxes, concentrators, concentrators, or mini-rocker boxes.  Small-scale mineral prospecting activities do not require a written HPA permit if the provisions established by the department are followed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 29 19 (Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

     Senate 42 1

House  98 0

Effective:July 27,  1997