WEST virginia legislature
2017 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 2661
By Delegates Eldridge, Maynard, Diserio, ambler, Westfall, Dean, Marcum 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.