WEST virginia legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2661

By Delegates Eldridge, Maynard, Diserio, ambler, Rodighiero, Westfall, Dean, Storch, marcum, Miller, r. and Phillips

[Introduced February 22, 2017; Referred
to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary. ]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-8-5, relating to permitting recreational gold mining.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-8-5, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 8. GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§20-8-5.  Recreational gold mining.

            Recreational gold mining in the state’s waters is allowed without a permit provided that:

            (1) A power sluice, a sluice box, or a portable suction dredge no larger than four inches in diameter is used;

            (2) Rights of riparian property owners and mineral owners, if applicable, are not affected; and

            (3) The activity is conducted without adverse impacts to instream beneficial uses.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit recreational gold mining.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.