Amador County – Amador County Supervisors directed staff Tuesday to write a letter opposing an amendment that would de-fund California Fish & Game’s licensing of dredge mining until environmental studies are completed for each license.

County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley said he would have the letter completed Wednesday for Supervisor Chairman John Plasse’s signature. The amendment would “designate the issuance of permits to operate vacuum or suction dredge equipment to be a project” under the California Environmental Quality Act. It “would suspend the issuance of permits, and mining pursuant to a permit, until the department has completed an Environmental Impact Report for the project.”

Elton Rodman, owner of Roaring Camp Mining, asked for the support letter, and Supervisor Brian Oneto requested it. Plasse said the amendment “would extend the moratorium almost eternally,” due to probable lack of money for EIRs.

Plasse said the mining was “not deleterious to fish,” and the Legislature is trying to “use this legislation as a budget” because license processing in Fish & Game costs more than the department collects on fees.

Supervisor Richard Forster said he could name four or five examples where similar shortages are handled differently by the Legislature. Forster said “if they are going to play the game one way,” they “need to make it fair.” An example, industries subject to new rules for discharge on irrigated land are “doing an EIR now” but “they are still irrigating and there is no moratorium.” He said lawmakers “are isolating this case” and if they handled it like any other department, they would just increase fees.

Plasse said dredge licensing “is not an enterprise fund,” or “fully funded,” so they are working to eliminate it. He said “they could eliminate a whole host of state agencies.” The amendment’s backers point to an estimated cost of $1.8 million to issue licenses to 4,000 miners in the state. Plasse said: “Let’s see that fiscal analysis.” Oneto said he thought dredging takes out more mercury that it puts into the water. Industry backers, such as Senator Ted Gaines, say that mercury naturally clings to gold, so the industry removes it from the stream beds.

Oneto said America seems to be working to become a third world country with “harmful” regulations. He said the Lieutenant Governor recently visited Texas to see what they are doing for businesses. Oneto said: “I don’t need to take a trip.”

Plasse said the amendment would directly affect a local tourist destination with national recognition in Roaring Camp. He criticized local groups who have “feigned concern” for Amador County when it comes to “removing one stretch of river for kayaking” from the Mokelumne River, but “you don’t hear word one from them” when Roaring Camp is threatened. Plasse said “it’s a lot of selective outrage.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.