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

[CODIVER]

Thanks for the info guys, the more I read the more intimidated I became. Next question, when I got to the river today my buddy was talking with a DOW officer about what he knew with the laws. He said he truly did not know the laws and regs but was concerned for the fish spawning in the river. He said he didnt care what we did, but when the fish are spawning he would probably say something to us. As far as I read, there is no closure for spawning fish. He was concerned the eggs would get covered in silt. He said we should call the Army Corps of Engineers. Does that make sense? Thanks again for the layman's terms.