Pan for Gold at the Beach This Summer?

On 20 March 2008, Governor Gregoire signed SB 6343 into law. This law, which takes effect on 12 June 2008, requires the State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish a pilot program to allow small scale prospecting and mining on Washington's ocean beaches beginning 1 July 2008.

The law requires the establishment of at least three demonstration areas located between the southern border of Cape Disappointment State Park and the southern border of the Quinault Indian Reservation. Furthermore, these areas must be 1) located in separate areas along the coast; 2) located in areas suitable for small scale prospecting; and 3) located in areas having minimal potential for damage to the beach environment, birds, shellfish, other beach marine life, fish habitat, and other recreational use.

The law further requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue individual hydraulic project approval permits for small scale prospecting within the demonstration areas. Hopefully, WDFW will provide details on applying for these HPAs in the not too distant future.

The text of the bill as signed into law may be read here.