Hydraulic code and Motorized Aquatic Mining

The amended rules:

• Add a definition for “gravity siphon aquatic mining” and “motorized or gravity siphon equipment”;
• Specify that a standard hydraulic project approval (HPA) permit is required to conduct mineral prospecting involving motorized or gravity siphon equipment and require proof of compliance with the federal Clean Water Act for this activity as part of a complete application for a standard HPA;
• Specify that the department may reject an incomplete application for mineral prospecting involving motorized or gravity siphon equipment if the proposed project location or locations occur where they are prohibited under RCW 90.48.615;
• Remove authorization for motorized and gravity siphon mining activities from the Gold and Fish pamphlet rules;
• Specify that all activities under WAC 200-660-305 (Mineral prospecting involving motorized or gravity siphon equipment) must employ aquatic invasive species prevention;
• Eliminate the annual reporting requirement for suction dredging HPAs; and
• Other minor changes are to clarify or avoid conflict with statute.