Oregon Considers Outlawing 'Motorized' Placer Mining

The Oregon Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources has scheduled a work session on December 11 for LC 2125, a measure which, if adopted in its present form, would prohibit placer mining "using any form of motorized equipment or motorized dredge."  For violators, the consequences envisioned include a "maximum of one year’s imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both."

LC 2125 further declares:

SECTION 6. This 2013 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2013 Act takes effect on its passage.

For Washington miners who worry about the suffocating hand of government over-regulation in California reaching ever closer to our own region (which worries appear well founded), a link to the appropriate committee agenda may be found here and the text of the measure here.

WSM intends to keep a weather-eye on this matter.