The State of Alaska defines "Recreational
Mining" in this way -
Recreational mining is the use of state resources for the purposes of attempted or
successful extraction of placer gold primarily for the purpose of enjoyment, pleasure
and experience, rather than for the purposes of profitable extraction for resale or use.
It does not require that the participant have exclusive rights to the minerals through a
mining claim. As such, recreational mining is not mining or a subsurface use under
State Mining Law. It is a surface use which falls into the generally permitted category
of land use (11 AAC 96 and the Division of Land and Water Management Policy and
Procedures Manual, Chapter 5122, sections 1.2 - 1.4.
Recreational Suction Dredging Recreational Suction Dredging
Do I need a Suction Dredge Permit or a Fish Habitat Permit for my suction dredging
activities?
General: A recreational suction dredge permit is required to dredge in a waterbody
designated as important for the spawning, rearing, or migration of anadromous fish or
that is used by resident fish as a migratory corridor. This permit may be obtained from
the ADNR, Office of Habitat Management and Permitting (OHMP) located closest to
your proposed dredging location. You may determine whether a waterbody is
designated as important for anadromous fish by calling or visiting any OHMP office
and looking at the map catalog and atlas that legally identify designated anadromous
fish streams. This information is also available online with the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game.
Definition of Recreational Suction Dredging: OHMP considers a suction dredge
operation recreational if the dredge has an intake diameter of six (6) inches or less,
powered by an 18 horsepower or less engine.
NOTE: On state land, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining,
Land and Water (ADNR/MLW) also classifies suction dredges with an intake 6 inches
or less recreational. Dredge operators with an intake larger than 6 inches should
contact the ADNR/MLW to obtain commercial mining application instructions.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) consider dredges with an intake of 6 inches or smaller recreational. The EPA
has agreed to accept a copy of OHMP's Recreational Suction Dredge Permit as a
Notice of Intent under General Permit AKG-37-5000. Larger dredges are considered
commercial operations and require prior notice of intent to the EPA and approval from
the COE. Applicants should contact the Bureau of Land Management, COE, and EPA
to obtain agency-specific land ownership and mining requirement information.
Application Fee: There is NO CHARGE for an OHMP Recreational Suction Dredge
Permit.
Land Status: OHMP’s Fish Habitat permitting requirements apply to all streams in
Alaska, including those on state, federal and private land. Issuance of an OHMP Fish
Habitat Permit does not eliminate the need to obtain other state, federal or local
permits or approvals from private property or mine claim owners. The ADNR/MLW and
the Bureau of Land Management can provide information on land status, the
presence of valid mining claims, and whether an area is open for recreational suction
dredge mining. You must have the permission of the legal owner to suction dredge on
a valid mining claim.
Mining" in this way -
Recreational mining is the use of state resources for the purposes of attempted or
successful extraction of placer gold primarily for the purpose of enjoyment, pleasure
and experience, rather than for the purposes of profitable extraction for resale or use.
It does not require that the participant have exclusive rights to the minerals through a
mining claim. As such, recreational mining is not mining or a subsurface use under
State Mining Law. It is a surface use which falls into the generally permitted category
of land use (11 AAC 96 and the Division of Land and Water Management Policy and
Procedures Manual, Chapter 5122, sections 1.2 - 1.4.
Recreational Suction Dredging Recreational Suction Dredging
Do I need a Suction Dredge Permit or a Fish Habitat Permit for my suction dredging
activities?
General: A recreational suction dredge permit is required to dredge in a waterbody
designated as important for the spawning, rearing, or migration of anadromous fish or
that is used by resident fish as a migratory corridor. This permit may be obtained from
the ADNR, Office of Habitat Management and Permitting (OHMP) located closest to
your proposed dredging location. You may determine whether a waterbody is
designated as important for anadromous fish by calling or visiting any OHMP office
and looking at the map catalog and atlas that legally identify designated anadromous
fish streams. This information is also available online with the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game.
Definition of Recreational Suction Dredging: OHMP considers a suction dredge
operation recreational if the dredge has an intake diameter of six (6) inches or less,
powered by an 18 horsepower or less engine.
NOTE: On state land, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining,
Land and Water (ADNR/MLW) also classifies suction dredges with an intake 6 inches
or less recreational. Dredge operators with an intake larger than 6 inches should
contact the ADNR/MLW to obtain commercial mining application instructions.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) consider dredges with an intake of 6 inches or smaller recreational. The EPA
has agreed to accept a copy of OHMP's Recreational Suction Dredge Permit as a
Notice of Intent under General Permit AKG-37-5000. Larger dredges are considered
commercial operations and require prior notice of intent to the EPA and approval from
the COE. Applicants should contact the Bureau of Land Management, COE, and EPA
to obtain agency-specific land ownership and mining requirement information.
Application Fee: There is NO CHARGE for an OHMP Recreational Suction Dredge
Permit.
Land Status: OHMP’s Fish Habitat permitting requirements apply to all streams in
Alaska, including those on state, federal and private land. Issuance of an OHMP Fish
Habitat Permit does not eliminate the need to obtain other state, federal or local
permits or approvals from private property or mine claim owners. The ADNR/MLW and
the Bureau of Land Management can provide information on land status, the
presence of valid mining claims, and whether an area is open for recreational suction
dredge mining. You must have the permission of the legal owner to suction dredge on
a valid mining claim.
Kenai Prospecting Club,
Chapter of Gold Prospectors
Association of America
Chapter of Gold Prospectors
Association of America
"Recreational Mining is what we do!"
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Recreational Mining Sites - information on these can be found at Recreational Sites
Caribou Creek
Hatcher Pass
Nelchina Public Use Area
Petersville
Recreational Gold Panning in State Parks
Hatcher Pass
Nelchina Public Use Area
Petersville
Recreational Gold Panning in State Parks