Dredging, Dredging in the Conejos River Options

[nmjack]

Can somebody give some info on what I can do as far as dredging or running a highbanker dredge combo in the conejos river below Platoro. Colo. The last time I talked to the state geologist she thought a hand sluice was a piece of mechanized eqiip. She sounded green in more ways than one if you get my drift. This is sure some beautifull country between Chama,NM & Antonito, Colo.

nmjack

[Denise]

Hi Jack,
Welcome to the forums.
Your right....She does sound green.

Just a few quick questions for you.
*Were you on Forest Sevice or BLM land ?
*And what office were you trying to get information from?

The last time I talked to the state geologist she thought a hand sluice was a piece of mechanized eqiip.

:o

Dan's (CP's) at work right now, but he will be glad to answer any questions you have when he gets home.

Denise

[Redpaw]

Have Dan post the findings in the forums, so that it can be placed into the MRT Database? How's that sound? It would be one less area to document and research.

Redpaw

[CP]

Hi NMJack,

Well Jack, we definately need a little more info.
If your'e on FS land then the CFR samples will help -
CFR samples
But let us know what the land status is and which office you wer'e asking the questions in.

CP

[CP]

NMJack sent some answers via email .........

Sorry I took so long to get back to you.
In answer to your questions I was in the Rio Grande N.F.  on the Conejos River about 4 miles or so below Platoro, Colo.
If my memory serves me right the state geologist I was talking to  said she was out of the Alamosa office. She also stated that it was a matter of interpretation as to whether a hand sluice was a piece of mechanized equip. I don't know according to whose interpretation but feeding a hand sluice with a shovel a bucket and classifier is still manual labor. She did however send me a letter that said it was ok to use a hand sluice. To this day I still do not think she knows what it really is. What do they teach these kids in school?!!

I pulled these out of the FSM (Forest Service Manual), and if they are doing their job properly it would be reasonable to assume that the FSM would be required knowledge......... NO WAIT! Don't have to assume...... it's a directive too.....(2840.1) :P
I hope this answers some of her questions for her..... :D
With the CFR sample I posted earlier and these you should be able to help her understand........ a little.. <_<
CP

2861.1 - General Criteria.  The Forest Service authorizes various methods of preliminary prospecting and mineral sample collection on National Forest System lands if no other authority exists, and if the activity does not conflict with the rights of:  A holder of a mining claim; a holder of a U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) lease, permit, or license; or the owner of reserved or outstanding minerals.  A separate authorization is not required for activities authorized by the General Mining Laws (FSM 2810); activities authorized by USDI (FSM 2820); or land use activity conducted pursuant to reserved and outstanding mineral rights (FSM 2830).

2861.2 - Allowable Activities Under Forest Service Jurisdiction. 
Allowable activities include, but are not limited to, surface mapping, blasting, excavation, sampling, and collecting with hand tools or hand-carried motorized equipment; seismic, gravity, heat flow, resistivity, and other geophysical surveys; and geochemical surveys, such as stream sediment sampling.

FSM2840.1 - Authority.  Laws and regulations cited in FSM 2801 provide surface management and mineral management authorities. The following regulations give Forest Officers specific authorities for reclamation:

    1.  Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 228, Subpart A, Section 228.8 - Requirements for environmental protection. These regulations set forth the rules and provisions to minimize adverse environmental impacts on surface resources resulting from locatable mineral activities.

    2.  Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 228, Subpart C, Section 228.47 - General terms and conditions of contracts and permits.  These regulations set forth the requirements for reclamation and other provisions on areas disturbed by pit and quarry operations.

Other authorities for mineral management and reclamation are granted to and held by the Department of the Interior.  These authorities represent the context within which Forest Service authorities must be carried out.  Forest Officers must be familiar with or comply with certain provisions of these rules:

    1.  Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 700-999 - Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. These regulations set forth the rules and procedures for the administration of the coal program.

    2.  Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3100 - Oil and gas leasing.  These regulations set forth rules and provisions for onshore oil and gas leasing.

    3.  Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3200 - Geothermal resource leasing.  These regulations establish requirements for developing and utilizing geothermal resources.

 
4.  Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3400 - Coal management.  These regulations set forth rules and provisions governing management and disposal of coal.

    5.  Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3500 - Leasing of non-fuel, solid leasable minerals.  These regulations provide for solid leasable mineral activities other than coal and oil shale.