Prospecting rules pamphlet available

OLYMPIA— New state mineral prospecting regulations have been published in a pamphlet now available at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offices statewide.

The new "Gold and Fish" pamphlet outlines revised prospecting regulations recently adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Prospectors engaged in panning, dredging and some highbanking activities no longer need to apply for an individual permit as long as they follow the regulations outlined in the pamphlet. Highbanking is the use of a sluicebox outside the wet streambed to separate gold or other precious minerals from gravel.

Regulation changes include:

• Significant revisions in allowed prospecting times and locations
• Approval of year-round panning and highbanking
• Restrictions on dredges to a maximum 4-inch nozzle size

The "Gold and Fish" pamphlets are available at WDFW's regional offices in Spokane, Ephrata, Yakima, Mill Creek, Vancouver and Montesano and at WDFW headquarters in Olympia. Prospectors also may order pamphlets by writing to the Habitat and Lands Program, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091 or by calling the Habitat and Lands Program at (360) 902-2534. The pamphlet information also is posted on the Habitat and Lands page of the WDFW website which may be accessed at www.wdfw.wa.gov on the Internet.