May 19th, 2011: Update on suction dredging regulations!

CALIFORNIA LEGISATORS SEEK BUDGET SAVINGS
BY CUTTING SUCTION DREDGE MINING PROGRAM
- Move would benefit aquatic species and improve water quality

     In early May, budget sub-committees in both houses of the California legislature approved identical budget cuts that could effectively end the environmentally destructive practice of suction dredge mining in state rivers and streams -- at least for the next few years. If the budget cuts stay intact through the budget process, the effort would save California taxpayers nearly $2 million a year and aid the recovery of at-risk fisheries and water quality throughout the state.

     “California is in the midst of an historic financial crisis. Taxpayers can no longer afford to subsidize this environmentally destructive hobby,” said Leaf Hillman, Director of the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources.

     The move by the budget committees still has to be approved as part of the overall state budget, but reversing the proposal would require lawmakers to fight for budget increases to fund a dredge mining permit and enforcement program while they are at the same time faced with deep cuts to education, healthcare for the elderly, and law enforcement.

     
     According to the Department of Fish and Game’s own Environmental Impact Report, the dredging program raises only roughly $370,000 a year in permit fees, while the newly proposed regulations would cost DFG over $1.8 million in administration and enforcement expenses. This fails to include the cost of defending the program from lawsuits filed by Tribes, taxpayers, conservation groups, and fishermen.

     Although the Department’s draft Environmental Impact Report found that dredging has “significant and unavoidable” impacts to water quality due to the reintroduction of mercury to the food chain, the Department claimed it had no authority to regulate the practice on those grounds. The Karuk Tribe along with a host of fishing, environmental, and Tribal groups argue that the Department’s proposed regulations would fail to protect struggling runs of salmon, steelhead, and numerous other fish species while violating clean water laws.

     CSERC director John Buckley emphasized, “Some suction dredging miners have openly ridiculed the need to protect rare amphibians or fish species. At a nasty public hearing I attended in Sacramento, a number of the miners seated around me joked about what they would do to foothill yellow-legged frogs if they came across them while suctioning gravel with their pumps. But impacts to water quality is really the biggest problem from suction dredging. It will clearly benefit the environment if no suction dredging is allowed in the near future.”

     Currently, there is a double moratorium on dredge mining that stems from legislation passed in 2009 (SB 670 – Wiggins) as well as a 2009 court ordered moratorium resulting from a lawsuit filed by taxpayers. These moratoriums remain in place until new regulations are approved and implemented. However, these budget cuts would prevent the Department from developing these regulations and thus would prolong the moratorium on dredging.

What is a Dredge?

     Suction dredges are powered by gas or diesel engines that are mounted on floating pontoons in the river. Attached to the engine is a powerful vacuum hose, which the dredger uses to suction up the gravel and sand (sediment) from the bottom of the river. The material passes through a sluice box where heavier gold particles can settle into a series of riffles. The rest of the gravel is simply dumped back into the river. Not only does this destroy fish habitat, it can also reintroduce mercury (left over from historic mining operations) back into the food chain, threatening communities downstream. Depending on size, location and density of these machines they can turn a clear running mountain stream into a murky watercourse unfit for swimming or as good habitat for fish, amphibians, and other aquatic species.

     The Karuk Tribe and other tribes in Northern California have been especially pivotal in fighting against the water quality and fisheries impacts caused by suction dredging. CSERC thanks Craig Tucker of the Karuk Tribe and other key advocates for their leadership on this state-wide issue.

     For further reading: 'Suction dredging is bad for fish', an informative blog entry by Dr. Peter B. Moyle, Professor of Fish Biology, UC Davis. Published June 17th, 2011.

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