dredging help Options

[CODIVER]

ok ive been reading the rules and regs on this site and with the blm and others. Turns out im just getting more and more confused

can I go down to the river on blm, forest service land that is not claimed and run the dredge as long as i dont disturb more than 1600 ft of material ?
or do I have to file a notice of what I want to do? not looking to claim a area, more just mess around with my equipment.

I will be using a dredge under 4in and with a 5.5 hp

am I safe ?

thanks for any help

[swizz]

Hi CODIVER,
I will attempt to clarify this to the best of my ability (anyone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).
You may run your 4" dredge on "most" NFS and BLM managed lands.
There are 'specified' or 'designated' areas where you may not run your dredge (or other motorized equipment) on BLM or NFS managed lands however.
These 'specified' or 'designated' areas are usually listed as (but not limited to): "National Park", "State Park", "State Forest", "Recreation Area", "Open Space", "Refuge", "Wilderness", "Watershed", or any other "designated" BLM or NFS managed lands. Such lands are subject to any regulations or bans on mineral removal that the managing agency sees fit. As a result you typically can not use motorized equipment (often no mineral removal at all) within these 'designated' NFS and BLM manged lands.
First determine which BLM or NFS land you would like to specifically dredge, next find out whether or not it has 'special use' designation. If it is 'special use', check the specific rules/regs/possible permits for that 'special use' area. Then research that location for claims, private property, or if a Cert Of Location has been filed within the last 90 days (County Clerk Recorder). If free & clear on those issues you should be good to go! There are no permits necessary for a 4" dredge in Colorado for 'non-designated' BLM and NFS lands which are open to mineral entry.
It sounds kinda complicated but it really isn't. Colorado has many many many miles of river and stream open to motorized collection (hand carried, non-mechanized).
You are correct regarding the 1600sf disturbance. 1600sf is a very large mass.... it would take you years to move that much from one location with a 4" dredge. Don't worry yourself too much about that at this stage.
Hope this helps!