Member areas and equipment allowed Options

[stan in colo]

Hi all,I have a few questions regarding membership.
1. If I am a member,can I take a friend to one of your prospecting sites,or does the friend have to be a member also.And what about family?
2. Do you allow powered equipment on your sites.or just sluicing.
3.Distance is a factor in my prospecting,in generality (I dont want an exact location,)can you give
an approximate location,of the member sites. It is at least a 3 hour drive to get to Fairplay.
any further would require,for me,a 2 day trip.Especially to get any good digs in.
I have been up to Fairplay,and have had some good digs and some bad ones as well.Just thinking
of joining your club,probably will in very near future...thanks all Stan

[JTW]

Regarding the BLM and USFS regulations, one has to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with gov personnel who dish out "knowledge" about what you can and can't do.

I have encountered people by phone and in person who either are poorly trained or just "wing it" when answering questions about claim filings, notice of intent, casual use, etc.

Just like in medicine, I'd get a second opinion. Call another BLM/USFS office in another part of the state where mining is an ongoing thing and see what they have to say but don't let on that you have received conflicting info from another office. AND ask questions of other miners and prospectors. I have learned that some gov employees are very sensitive and need their egos stroked and can suddenly become very easy to get along with after a bit of flattery and smoke blowing.

On the other hand I got into a situation once where a BLM guy made a mountain out of a mole hill for me and I had to call in all political favors I had squirreled away to get it resolved. Just remember that if you own a mining claim you do HAVE RIGHTS. Don't let anyone take them away from you.