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.

[swizz]

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 (DOW officer) said he truly did not know the laws and regs but was concerned.....

That quote got stuck in my craw

In my humble opinion...
While in the field - It is usually not good practice to ask a land or game management employee/officer any legality-based questions regarding your operation. Ever.
In this case it appears that your interaction was neutral but I find it a bit discerning that the DOW officer felt it necessary to air his "concerns" or personal opinion at all.
"Opinions" and "concerns" mixed with a federal or state employee uniform sometimes lend themselves to employee ignorance and blind-authority in the field. He already admitted that "he truly did not know the laws and regs".
As a game officer, I doubt that he is required to know the mining laws and/or regs.... or even authorized to enforce them unless you are using a freshly killed bloody Elk hide as sluice matting.
It is best to know exactly what your rights (or regulations) are for the area you are working any time that you walk out the door with your gear. There should never be any reason for you to 'ask' a federal or state employee what your rights or regulations are while in the field. If you don't know your rights or have a firm grasp on the laws & regs for the area you are working... you shouldn't be there.
Again, this is just my opinion and I feel it is good practice to refrain from "asking" them legal questions but always be prepared to answer any of theirs.
Be well-armed with knowledge. Everything you need to know can be found here... consider CP your armory.
One more note: If a fed, state, or county employee/officer ever asks you to "STOP"...you must stop mining immediately, regardless if their definition or interpretation of the law is correct or incorrect.