This is what I got from another forum. I am unsure of the validity of this. The source is reasonably honest, so I'm inclined to think he knows what he's talking about. Opinions are needed.

If this is true, I think we may have a problem. I dunno.

QUOTE
I got a letter from the EPA, presumably because I had an Idaho dredging oermit last year. Long story short, they are asserting that dredgers in the US are required to have an NDPES permit from EPA in order to dredge, and there is not such a permit for idaho yet, and will not be until 2012, and if you dredge anyway you can go to c=jail plus be fined, and citizen groups can sue you if EPA does not do so.
Here's a more detailed posting on it:
http://www.akmining.com/forums/showthread....m-the-EPA-today

There are more implications of their stance, and it is worse; but I will not go into it on a public forum.