Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 37 - Water Resources, Department of
Rule 37.03.07 - STREAM CHANNEL ALTERATION RULES
Section 37.03.07.061 - SMALL SCALE MINING WITH SUCTION DREDGES, POWERED SLUICES, OR NON-POWERED EQUIPMENT

Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 37.03.07.061

Current through August 31, 2023

01. Small Scale Mining Permit. The Director may issue a permit for the operation of a powered suction dredge or power sluice, or certain qualified non-powered mining activities that follow minimum standards (Rule 61), within stream channels designated as open by the Department or Board. A powered suction dredge or power sluice shall only be operated in accordance with the conditions of the Small Scale Mining Permit. A power sluice and a high-banker are synonymous for the purposes of these rules. (3-18-22)

02. Standards for Small Scale Mining Permits. The following standards shall apply only to uses of suction dredges and power sluices below the mean high water mark with nozzle diameters of five (5) inches or less and powered equipment rated at fifteen (15) HP or less, or the use of non-powered sluice equipment moving more than one-quarter (1/4) cubic yard per hour. (3-18-22)

03. Powered Equipment Prohibited Below High Water Mark. There shall be no use of powered equipment below the mean high water mark except for the suction dredge, or power sluice and any human life support system necessary to operate the suction dredge or power sluice. (3-18-22)

04. Protection of Streambanks. The operation of a suction dredge or power sluice, or the use of non-powered equipment shall be carried out in a manner that prevents the undercutting of streambanks. (3-18-22)

05. Permit Required for Certain Non-Powered Operations. A Small Scale Mining Permit is required for non-powered mining activities when those activities include:

(1) the use of non-powered equipment by more than five (5) people mining the same area; or

(2) the use of non-powered equipment where the disturbed area at the mining location exceeds thirty three (33) percent of the width of the wetted stream channel. (3-18-22)

06. Limitation of Mining Sites. Only one (1) mining site per one hundred (100) linear feet of stream channel shall be worked at one (1) time unless waived by the Director. (3-18-22)

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