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Below are a list of sites that list Dredging rules and/or regulations and/or if permits are needed or not. This is not a complete list and may not be completely accurate. I'm trying to find each states exact law, rule, regulation that allows dredging or gold prospecting for that matter. To try to do a comparison. And these are my findings. Please contact your individual states governing body for information for that state's exact rules. Again what I'm trying to do is get a list of each state, and trying to get actual links to each states information. If you have any links that are of official government documents that show dredging rules or prospecting rules and regulations please email me them so that this list can grow. Right now I have links that are both governmental and non-governmental that at least talk about (commercial and non-commercial and "recreational") dredging and recreational prospecting.

Please note that some links have not been fully analyzed as to how it applies to gold prospecting so they may not be meaningful to what this page is about.

Alabama (still looking for better links)
Alabama Department of Environmental management water division - water quality program Chapter 335-6-9 Surface Mining Rules -Section 335-6-9.02 section J mentions dredging but this is as close as I have found about dredging yet.
http://www.adem.state.al.us/Regulations/Div6a/D6aChapter%209.pdf

The gold Belt of Alabama : http://www.alabama.8m.com/page7.html

Alaska (they call it recreational dredging)
Summary: Dredging Allowed? Yes, Need a permit? Yes. Cost None.
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/habitat/recsuctiondredge.htm
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/habitat/generalpermits/fbksgendredge.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2001/December/Day-19/w31240.htm
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.NSF/40db6e4de7be6d8888256c78007f8ff7/bc30f88057c7455088256c870082cd07/$FILE/AKG375000%20FP.PDF
http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/factsht/mine_fs/apmathru.pdf

Arizona (still looking for better links)
Department of mines and mineral resources gives very good information on gold prospecting, links to mineral rights and Claims (http://www.admmr.state.az.us/Info/mineralrights.html) and the Forest Service has additional information related to mining claims and mineral leases within the national forest. They even suggest places to go to prospect for gold.

Not sure what this is all about but it mentions dredging :Subchapter T Part 903, Arizona Federal Program : http://www.osmre.gov/rules/part903.htm

Still looking for the dredging section.

Arkansas

No information found yet.

Here is a complaint that was filed against someone who was dredging. http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/ftproot/Pub/WebDatabases/Complaints/004249-comp.pdf I won't spoil what the outcome was.

California (they call it small scale mining)

Suction Dredge Permit		Suction dredging (also called vacuum dredging) is defined as the use of a suction system to remove and return material at the bottom of a stream, river, or lake for the extraction of minerals.
Resident	$44.25	Issued to any resident who operates the intake nozzle of suction dredge equipment in the waters of this state.
Nonresident	$174.50	Issued to any nonresident who operates the intake nozzle of any suction dredge equipment in the waters of this state.
Resident Inspection Fee	$182.75	Issued to any resident when the Department determines that an onsite inspection is required.
Nonresident Inspection Fee	$209.00	Issued to any nonresident when the Department determines that an onsite inspection is required.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/pdffiles/suctiondredgeregs.pdf

I'd like to thank "socalgold" on the http://www.goldprospectors.com forum for the link.

Other links dealing with California.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/folsom/dredgingsites.html
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/folsom/rocks.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/documents/st-main/maps/rogs/weaverville-big-bar/mining.pdf
http://ceres.ca.gov/planning/genplan/sutter/landuse4.html
http://www.goldfeverprospecting.com/casudrredrre.html
http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad/Rules/Mountain_YL_frog/mylf_prop_listing.html

found this about a NOI "notice of intent" http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2005/June/Day-06/i11138.htm not sure how this all ties together yet.

Colorado (still looking for better links)
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/minerals/mining_faqs.html

http://mining.state.co.us/ProspectingForms.htm

http://www.lornet.com/prospector/articles/suctiondredges.htm

Still looking for dredging specific information.

Connecticut (still looking for better links)

No information found yet. that directly says gold dredging type or if it's called small scale mining or what not.

link to the licensing center: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2709&q=324224&depNav_GID=1643

http://www.treasurefish.com/connecticut%20treasure%20hunting.htm

http://www.49ermike.com/cn.shtml

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-R-0409.htm

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2709&q=324154&depNav_GID=1643#Water

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2709&q=324212&depNav_GID=1643

I think this is the one: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2709&q=324176&depNav_GID=1643

it says:

Who Must Apply

Any person proposing to place an encroachment or obstruction riverward of stream channel encroachment lines must obtain a permit. Activities which require a permit when conducted riverward of such lines include the removal or deposition of material, any alteration of the land or watercourse or construction of structures, filling, dredging, clearing, grubbing, grading, piping, culverting, channelizing, diverting, damming, dewatering, construction of structures, and any other activity that temporarily or permanently alters the character of the floodplain or watercourse. Additionally, major repair of structures that existed before the stream channel encroachment lines were established may require a permit.

I think this may be it since I can't find anything else on dredging so far.

Need a permit to Rock Hound (Scientific Collection Permit for Educational Mineral Collection)? http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2701&q=323440&depNav_GID=1641

and the direct link to the http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/geology/geology_forms/collectminerals.pdf

the address and phone for more information:

Department of

Environmental Protection

79 Elm Street

Hartford, CT 06106-5127

Phone:

(860) 424-3000

Nice campground brochure: http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/camping/2007campingbrochure.pdf

Also found this : http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2707&q=323864&depNav_GID=1642 if you call and ask about recreational dredging areas and see what they say.

Delaware

No information found yet.

District of Columbia

No information found yet.

Florida
http://www.flwaterfront.com/environmentalpermits.htm
http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/permits/erp/erp_downloads/403.813%20FS.pdf

no information really found yet.

Georgia

No information found yet.

Hawaii

No information found yet.

Idaho (they call it recreational dredging)
Summary: Dredging Allowed? Yes Cost? $10 for residents and $30 for non-residents. 5" intake and 15HP for the dredge. Page 2 of there "Recreational Prospecting: Rock hounding and fossil hunting on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests" Handout. it also says that a NOI must be submitted accompanied by a current copy of the approved IDWR recreational dredging permit (form 3804-A). Also can only be used in designated areas.
http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/activities/minerals/recminerals.pdf

Other links with some information.
http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/rules/idapa20/0304.pdf (070.02)
http://www.idwr.idaho.gov/water/stream_dam/sca/sca4.htm
-----

From: Blu3duk on the www.goldprospectors.com forum. Thanks for the information.

If you look at the Idaho statutes from the link provided you will see we have 2 different types of dredging in Idaho, the recreational type which is of course by permission only and can be revoked, monitored and denied and the statutory which is a little harder process but it is for small claim miners and is congruent with the 1872 mining act

http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/47FTOC.html

so we have two types here, legislative and administrative, the legislative may be a little more dollars but it is year round and not limited to just a few weeks here and there for the most part.

Illinois

No information found yet.

Indiana

Summary: Dredging Allowed? Yes. Permit Needed? Yes. Cost The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) usually can process a standard individual permit request within 60 to 120 days. Indiana DNR permits generally are processed in about 90 days, for a cost of $50 Plus all a whole lot of paper work to fill out. Please note it says Dredging is for 1 of 4 things with #1 being Mining.
http://www.in.gov/idem/permits/guide/water/dredgingpermits.html

Iowa

No information found yet.

Kansas

No information found yet.

Kentucky

No information found yet.

Louisiana

No information found yet.

Maine
Summary: Dredging Allowed? Yes Cost: Nothing (with exceptions) The activity is limited to the use of gold pans, sluices of less than 10 square feet, or suction dredges with a hose diameter of 4 inches or less. also some areas fall under the "LURC REGULATIONS" where you do need a permit.
http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/facts/goldfact.htm

Maryland

No information found yet.

http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/brochures/gold.html

Massachusetts

No information found yet.

Michigan
Summary: 50$ for 2" dreg permit. Although it says that you may have to pay for a federal permit also for 10$.

http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-lwm-jpa-appendix-c-fees.pdf (thanks Mattercov from the www.goldprospectors.org forum)

On the GPAA forum: http://www.goldprospectors.org/newforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5530 if you read the letter the guy got it says that slucing needs a permit also. also that the permit is good for 2 months? also it says "Professional commercial mineral prospecting on State-owned mineral lands requires a State-issued Mineral Lease. This is a fairly involved legal process. Contact our office, Mineral and Land Management Section, Forest, Mineral and Fire Management, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7952 (Phone 517-373-7663), for further details. There are no regulations specifically allowing recreational mineral collecting or gold panning on State lands. Thus there currently is no mechanism to legally allow these activities on a casual, recreational, or hobby level. Dredging for gold or other minerals requires a dredging permit. This is a requirement, no matter who is the surface or mineral owner of the stream or lake bottom. Both the use of a dredge or a sluice box requires a dredging permit. The purpose of a permit is to limit sedimentation disturbances in water bodies to prevent problems with fish and other biota habitat. Dredging permits are issued by the Land & Water Management Division (LWMD), Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), in Lansing. Their non-refundable application fee of $50 allows you to apply for a site-specific, two-month permit to use a small dredge on a specific segment of certain streams. For information, call LWMD at 517-373-1170<. Specific circumstances may require additional permits. Contact the Environmental Assistance Division, MDEQ, Lansing, for information and assistance with meeting any MDEQ permit requirements. The phone number for the Environmental Assistance Center is 1-800-662-9278.another link to dredging : http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3677_3697---,00.html

check out section:R 322.1008 Permits. in the next link:
http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=32201001&Dpt=EQ&RngHigh=

Minnesota

No information found yet.

Mississippi
http://www.deq.state.ms.us/MDEQ.nsf/page/Geology_faq?OpenDocument (no gold of prospecting value in Mississippi?)

Here is the quote from that states website that is listed in the link above, although it doesn't say what small amounts are. also as of 2/3/08 there are no chapters in Mississippi on the GPAA website chapter listings.

Is there gold in Mississippi?

Minute amounts of gold have been detected in Mississippi by chemical analyses, but no prospector or gold panner has found naturally occurring gold in Mississippi in quantities that could be mined economically

Still looking for a dredge statue.

Missouri

No information found yet.

Montana (they call it recreational dredging)
http://www.deq.state.mt.us/wqinfo/MPDES/RecSuctionDredge.asp

"DEQ will permit only after a 310 permit is issued by the county conservation district for the disturbance to the stream segment. You must submit a copy of the 310 permit with the suction dredge application. " So looks like you need this 310 permit as well as a dredge permit for where you will be dredging.

http://www.deq.state.mt.us/wqinfo/MPDES/RULES03/FeesRevised03.pdf (Looks like Schedule 1.B Application fee for General Permits - "Portable suction dredge, owned and operated by a Montana Resident- 25$, Portable suction dredge, owned and operated by a nonresident $100) Renewed yearly.

http://data.opi.state.mt.us/BILLS/mca/82/4/82-4-227.htm
http://deq.mt.gov/abandonedmines/bluebook.asp

Looks like permit 310 is (the link was down when I searched for it):

310 Permit - Alter/modify a Perennial Stream

RYAN, JEFF

406-444-4626<

http://deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/MPDES/permits/JointApplication.pdf

http://dnrc.mt.gov/permits/stream_permitting/310_applicant.asp

http://dnrc.mt.gov/permits/default.asp - this is the main page for permits for the state, by the looks of it, and it also looks like they don't have the application for 310 permit for download, you have to call in and get a copy.

Nebraska

No information found yet.

Nevada
Summary: Dredging Allowed? Yes Cost: 15$ - NRS 503.425; chapter 503 of the Nevada Administrative Code. One permit per person, per dredge (so if you own 2 dredges you would need 2 permits) also says only 10 different bodies of water per dredge. Yearly permit. Also can't use dredge depending upon what the fish are doing.

http://www.ndow.org/about/license/pdf/inst04/dredging.pdf

Other links

http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Activities/Recreational_Gold_Prospecting.cfm
http://theclaimpost.homestead.com/CONTACTS.html

New Hampshire
Dredgin Allowed? yes. Permit needed? Yes Cost? Looks like need to see RSA 485-A:17,II to see what the cost is.
http://www.des.nh.gov/rules/env-ws_415.pdf (section Env-Ws 415.03a says permit for Mining. Env-Ws415.06 describes the permit application procedrues. Permits are good by the looks of it for 2 years then can be extended. Cost is depended upon Env-Ws 415.07 "fees for plan review" looks like need to see RSA 485-A:17,II to see what the cost is.

But then we have this one: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/RSA/html/L/482-A/482-A-3.htm

" 482-A:3 Excavating and Dredging Permit; Certain Exemptions. –

XI. (a) Small motor mineral dredging shall be limited to activities which are classified as minimum impact under rules adopted by the commissioner under RSA 482-A:11 and which do not exceed the following limits:
          (1) Power equipment shall be limited to 5 horsepower.
          (2) Suction dredges shall be limited to a single 4-inch diameter intake nozzle.
          (3) Sluice and rocker boxes shall be limited to 10 square feet.
       (b) Any person who wishes to engage in small motor mineral dredging shall obtain a permit from the department. A permit application shall be filed directly with the department, and the procedural requirements of RSA 482-A:3, I and RSA 482-A:11, III shall not apply. Any permit issued by the department under this paragraph shall expire at the end of the calendar year in which it is issued. Any person who engages in panning only shall not be required to obtain a permit but shall be subject to rules of the department. Panning shall include those activities associated with the manual search for minerals in a river bed without the use of motorized equipment.
       (c) Any person wishing to engage in mineral dredging which in any way exceeds the limits of small motor mineral dredging shall first obtain, in addition to a wetlands permit, a mining permit from the department of resources and economic development pursuant to RSA 12-E.
       (d) The commissioner shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to:
          (1) Small motor mineral dredging and panning.
          (2) The issuance of statewide small motor mineral dredging permits.
          (3) Any other matters relative to small motor mineral dredging and panning.
       (e) The state shall retain the right to prohibit panning and mineral dredging activity at certain times or in certain locations when such activity would be detrimental to the public interest for reasons including, but not limited to, environmental and wildlife protection.
       (f) Any person who has obtained a small motor mineral dredging permit from the department pursuant to this paragraph, or any person who intends to engage in any panning activity shall, prior to engaging in any small motor mineral dredging or panning activity, obtain the written permission to engage in such activity from the riverbed landowner on whose property the activity is to be conducted.
       (g) The department may enter into a cooperative agreement with the fish and game department relative to enforcement of the provisions of this paragraph.
       (h) Application fees shall be $25 for residents of the state of New Hampshire and $50 for out-of-state applicants. Fees shall be collected by the department and held in accordance with paragraph III.
    XII. (a) Persons who construct and maintain recreational trails in accordance with the Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction published by the department of resources and economic development and who have filed an appropriate notice, as described in subparagraph (b), to construct or maintain such trails with the department and the department of resources and economic development shall have satisfied the permitting requirements of this section for minimum impact activities, as defined by rules adopted by the commissioner.
       (b) Appropriate notice to the department and the department of resources and economic development shall include the following information:
          (1) Name and address of organization constructing or maintaining the recreational trail.
          (2) Name and address of property owner.
          (3) Town, tax map number, and lot number of property.
          (4) A copy of the appropriate United States Geological Survey topographic map with the type and location of all wetland and waterbody crossings clearly indicated.
       (c) A $25 filing fee shall accompany the notice to the department. Such fees shall be held in accordance with paragraph III. "

another link: http://www.des.state.nh.us/wetlands/pdf/goldapp.pdf

New Jersey

No information found yet.

New Mexico

No information found yet.

New York

Nothing about recreational dredging yet

http://www.dec.ny.gov/hearings/11285.html

North Carolina (still looking for better links)
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES/permits.html
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES/documents.html#individualapps see permit NCG520000 "Sand Dredging"- that's just my guess. since it has "· Stormwater outfalls associated with in-stream sand mining. A stormwater general permit should be obtained for any separate stormwater discharges not directly related to in-stream sand mining operations." Also a "a Notice of Intent (NOI) " is needed. Looks like there is a fee but doesn't really say.

Notice of Intent link; http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES/documents/NCG52_NOI.doc

Permit in question link' http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/NPDES/documents/NCG52_Permit_2007.doc

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Gold%20brochure/Gold%20Brochure%2012222000.htm

North Dakota

No information found yet.

Ohio

The following is from Patrick O'Masters, from the Buckeye Chapter of the GPAA, whom responded to my question on what "Official information" do they have that allows dredging in Ohio, and what the rules and regulations are.

Pat writes: "After some research on the issue of dredging permit requirements in the state of Ohio, here are my findings and opinions: Ohio Industrial Minerals Laws section 1514.01 "Surface mining...includes the removal of overburden...does not include...the extraction of minerals other than coal, by a landowner for the landowner's non-commercial use where such material is extracted and used in an unprocessed form on the same tract of land." As non-commercial leasees, we are agents of the landowner and share the same rights as the owner to move gravels and relocate them on the property. The gold being removed can arguably be considered deminimus. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which oversees our in-stream activities, has determined that our hobby when a dredge size less than 4" is used is not a commercial operation and is exempt from chapter 1514 of the revised code."

When asked where did this information come "expecially the 4" dredge limitation on non-commercial operations" from he provided me a scanned image of what was given to him. Please note the scan is not the best of quality.

I would like to thank Pat personally for helping me out with this.

nice little sheet about gold in ohio: http://ohiodnr.com/?TabId=7882 see Geofacts #9 : http://ohiodnr.com/Portals/10/pdf/GeoFacts/geof09.pdf

Oklahoma

No information found yet.

Oregon

700-PM Application Form - cost of $25
(note high banking needs another permit)
http://www.deq.state.or.us/WQ/wqpermit/mining.htm
http://www.northcoastoregon.com/2008/01/06/PortofAstoriaPressesWydentoStreamlineDredgePermits
http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/alphalist.htm

check this link out:

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/legislative/legislativeminutes/1995/house/water/hWTR032895.txt

search for "205 MARGARET FORSYTHE:. Calls attention to the differences between dredging

and gold panning. Notes the problems of releasing mercury, arsenic; panning

is recreational, dredging is for profit. Opposes HB 2721, unless motorized

dredging is eliminated from it.(Exhibit Z)

252 REP. TARNO: Questions if she has seen the dredges in operation.
258 FORSYTHE: No, anything that disturbs the sediment is going to release
mercury into the water."

and it goes on and on.

Can you see where this would be heading? no dredging may be coming to this state.

10 minutes later I found this: http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/PERMITS/scenicwaterways.shtml

No dredging in the scenic waterways.

Pennsylvania
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/noncoal/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=520390#1

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter105/chap105toc.html chapter 105 which is what the permit is for

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter105/subchapItoc.html section on commercial dredging. since no section is there for recreational dredging.

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=496&q=165868 - wetland locations in Pa.

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc/subjects/wwec/permits/Forms_WWHomeguide.htm

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc/subjects/wwec/general/wetlands/paspgp3.pdf

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/wc/subjects/wwec/general/wetlands/wetlands.htm

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/education/catalog/ab/bogturtle/bogturtl.htm

http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/maps/topo.htm

http://nmviewogc.cr.usgs.gov/viewer.htm

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/aqua/vol3_2.pdf :interesting as to what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch allows in Alaska.

Rhode Island
Still looking for more along the line of recreational prospecting or small scale.

http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/water/dred0203.pdf

South Carolina

No information found yet.

South Dakota
http://www.state.sd.us/denr/DES/Mining/mineprg.htm - permits page - here is the one stop permitting page: http://www.state.sd.us/denr/onestop.htm

here is the state's statement as to why dredging is permited: http://www.state.sd.us/denr/ENVIRO/envprmitguide.pdf go to the page 16 that says "Do I need to notify you if I plan to mine?" the second paragraph says ' Recreational and hobby miners, such as gold panners and mineral collectors, do not have to obtain a mining permit. However, a permit is required to use a portable dredge in a stream. " so if you want to dredge do the one stop permitting page listed above, is my guess.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/resources/fact_sheets/gold.shtml - states permit to dredge needed
http://www.state.sd.us/denr/enviro/mining.htm

http://www.state.sd.us/denr/DES/Mining/history.htm

Tennessee

No information found yet.

Texas

No information found yet.

Utah
Must have a permit for Dredging and Sluicing http://nrwrt1.nr.state.ut.us/strmalt/rds.pdf it also lists what streams you can go. It's called the Utah RD&S Permit - 200.