National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Suction Dredge Mining

California Fish and Game Code section 5653.1, subdivision (b) has statutorily prohibited the use of vacuum or suction dredge equipment in the state since 2009. However, Senate Bill 637 which became effective on January 1, 2016 has amended section 5653 of the Fish and Game Code and added section 13172.5 of the California Water Code to provide a framework to lift the statutory prohibition on suction dredge mining.

Consistent with the requirements of Senate Bill 637, Water Board staff is soliciting input from stakeholders and California Native American Tribal interests by conducting four public meetings with staff of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in January and February 2017 in San Bernardino, Fresno, Sacramento, and Redding prior to developing a permit or waiver for this activity. See “Hot News!” below for details on the public meetings.