Deadline Extended for Comments on New Rules

Word along the stream bank is that the deadline for submitting comments on the new small-scale placer mining rules drafted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been extended until March. Apparently, the comments sent in so far and the reception the proposed rules received at the public meetings have resulted in an extension of the process. More workgroup meetings are planned starting in March to work out the differences between WDFW and the miners. Meetings with the Fish and Wildlife Commission are to follow.

The bottom line here is: KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING!

To reiterate, you can find the text of the proposed rules here. As before, I urge you to study and comment on these proposed rules. Comments should be mailed to Lisa Wood, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091; FAXed to Lisa Wood at (360) 902-2946; or emailed to SEPADesk@dfw.wa.gov.

In addition, I recommend you send copies of your comments to the Commission. Their address is: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091; FAX: 360-902-2448; email: commission@dfw.wa.gov. Also, the Resources Coalition has requested copies of all comments.

The WDFW webpage with information on the proposed rules is: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/goldfish/mineral_prospect.htm.

The Commission's homepage is: http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/comintro.htm.