Washington sluice Regs.

[Goldwasher]

Hey Washington diggers. We have a potential customer in Washington and he's asking us about the riffle area Sq ft. Rules. Do you know if " riffle area " would be just the trap? We think so. Any of you guys have insight?

 

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[Goldwasher]

Well, I ended up speaking to Pat at the Wdfw. He's the guy that interoperates the rules in the Washington State Placer mining I guess theres a pamphlet.
he was actually a nice guy and helpful with a bit of a sense of humor even. He was very positive in regards to guys digging. And didn't have anything negative to say.
Interesting how whenever you call an agency with questions you normally hang up the phone with less answers. I'm not going to put into words here what he told me as the word " opinion" was used so If anyone has any questions P.M. me but, please any of you that are Washington bazooka owners please share your knowledge.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Mineral Prospecting & Placer Mining Regulations and Permits (Gold and Fish Pamphlet) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

You can download a .pdf copy from the link in the right panel.

The rule is no more than 3 sq. ft. of riffle area if you are year-round
mining under the "no restrictions" rule.

If you are working within the "timing restrictions", you can use
up to 10 sq. ft. of riffle.

 

[mike(swWash)]

For a Bazooka type system I would consider the trap as the riffle area since the rest is just slick plate.
Imagine having a 3sq' fluid bed, now that monster could be a unit fed by an excavator

 

[Goldwasher]

Yea, I have the rules. I just wanted the boots on the ground insight. Pat said something to the effect of " it doesn't have riffles ....the definition of a sluice was a trough for recovering gold lined with riffles.....so a bazooka isn't really a sluice by our definition "....Like I said some interesting things were mentioned that I won't put in print my self...he did say I guess there was no bazooka last time we amended the rules.

 

[Goldwasher]

I agree with you Mike ....though he only considered the bottom of the trap.. not sides and agreed that on a Keene you wouldn't count the flare so on bazooka it would only be the trap.

 

[OwenT]

I'd call the bazooka a sluice. The trap is really just one big hydraulic riffle. But not even the biggest bazooka has a trap bigger than 3 sq ft (I think).