Colorado Dredging and highbanking Options

[WildernessAU]

Hello guys n gals,
I have afew questions about motorized prospecting in CO.
I know that in the Royal Gorge district one needs a permit to operate a dredge on the Arkansas River up to 4in nozzle. Does the permit area include all streams and feeder creeks that lie within the Royal Gorge area?
The permit states that highbanking can only be done at I think Woodys bar....is this true? Can we not highbank anywhere else.........or does it have to be listed on the permit as a valid claim area? hmm
What are the regulations and season for the rest of the state. I believe no permit is required for most of CO. Does this mean that I can dredge and highbank in any open area as long as I don't create a significant surface disturbance?
Thanks for any help. D

[CP]

Hi D,

Welcome to the CP forums, make yourself right at home.

Personally I don't get the Arkansas headwater recreational area permit but it covers that specefic area. As I understand it you do need to have the location of activity for highbanking/dredging noted and the highbanking is restricted to that claim you mentioned or the western side of the river. (private or very tough to find access).
The area has also been withdrawn from mineral entry for water reserves but there are many private parcels through there and several location claims filed over the years through a building site loophole I think. On private claims I would (as a claim owner) highbank or dredge as I saw fit. Without causing a "significant disturbance" of course. If a larger disturbance would pay then it's just time to file that POO and get down to it! But that is beyond the level of activity we are talking about I think.

For prospecting open land around the rest of Colorado (except the Poudre and Uncompaghre) there is no permitting. Be aware though, with all the new proposed regs and local opinions via uniformed federal employees, you may here different.
If/when you do hear that garble........just come on back in the CP forums, we have plenty of information that will help ya' there.
Anything you carry by hand needs no special authorization according to the Forest Service manual. (Their "how to do my job" book)

Hope this helps some and have great adventures around Colorado! Oh and if you need the latest Arkansas permit (2008) you can print that off right here from the CP forums as well.

CP

This post has been edited by ColoradoProspector: Dec 22 2008, 11:36 AM