[env-trinity] Grass Valley Union April 28 2009

[Byron Leydecker]

Suction dredge bill wins approval

 

California's Senate Natural Resources Committee today passed SB 670, placing
a temporary moratorium on the issuance of recreational suction dredge mining
permits by the Department of Fish and Game until a thorough scientific
review of the impacts is completed and regulations are revised. 

The bill will next go to Senate Appropriations for consideration and
approval before going before the full Senate. The bill includes an urgency
clause, requiring 2/3 vote to pass in each house, which would result in the
law going into effect immediately upon signing by the Governor.

Suction dredging disturbs fish habitat and puts species such as Coho salmon
and green sturgeon at risk, said Elizabeth "Izzy" Martin, CEO of The Sierra
Fund based in Nevada City and former county supervisor who testified at the
hearing. 

Those who use suction dredge operations to look for gold often encounter
mercury in the sediment of rivers left behind from the Gold Rush. 

 

 

Byron Leydecker, JcT

Chair, Friends of Trinity River

PO Box 2327

Mill Valley, CA 94942-2327

415 383 4810 land

415 519 4810 cell

 <mailto:bwl3 at comcast.net> bwl3 at comcast.net

 <mailto:bleydecker at stanfordalumni.org> bleydecker at stanfordalumni.org
(secondary)

 <http://fotr.org/> http://www.fotr.org 

 

 

 

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