Gold panning and nonmotorized mining methods will still be allowed, and suction dredge mining will still be allowed in noncritical habitat areas.The big ideas get the most attention, but they aren’t the only solutions that are required.Ī draft of a long-awaited federal report on a proposal to remove four dams on Washington’s portion of the Snake River to help improve habitat for wild salmon was released last month, with the recommendation to keep the dams but look for other ways to aid salmon. “So it is extremely gratifying to see that our state leaders are listening and embracing policies that are more consistent with all of our neighboring states.”

“We have spent years working to raise awareness of this outdated practice that destroys sensitive habitat to benefit a small number of hobbyist miners,” says Robert de los Angeles, Chairman of the Snoqualmie Tribe, in a news release. To many, the practice seemed at odds with the state's simultaneous efforts to spend millions on restoring and protecting fish habitat. If signed, it will take effect later this year.Įnvironmental groups had pushed for years to ban the practice, which uses motors or gravity suction to filter sediments for valuable materials. W ashington lawmakers have banned suction dredge mining in critical habitat areas for endangered salmon, steelhead or bull trout.Īs the Inlander reported a few weeks ago, the legislation brings Washington into line with other Western states that in recent years have banned or severely restricted the recreational sucking up of river sediments in hopes of finding valuable gold, silver or other minerals.Īfter a 37-10 vote in the Senate Thursday, March 5, the bill (ESHB 1261), which had already passed through the House, now goes to Gov. Suction dredge mining allows recreational users to search for gold and other valuable materials - a process that environmentalists worry can hurt fish.

Washington suction dredge mining