Flash in the Pan Blog

T. Rautio

I hope many prospectors will attend this parks dept meeeting. We do not need more fees and regulation. If the anti mining folks get this foot in the door we can expect more atempts at restrictive mining regulations. Contact your mining friends or other clubs and encourage them to attend this meeting. TJ

M. Ormston

M. Ormston

my personal experience with this arbitrary enactment of regulations has provn it's self time and again to be one sided special interest. I lost the profession that I loved because of this type of action. The only tool you have that has a chance of meaningful influence is participation. Complacency thinking you have plenty of time to get involved is what cost the small comercial fishermen their jobs in Florida. By the time everyone realized what was happening it was too late. This was a viable, food producing,renewable resource taken away by untrue media influence and misinformed voters. If it means something to you must get involved on a personal level.

M. Brawn

This reminds me of my phone call to REI. People oppossing something they kniow nothing about or have never done. I called REI corporate office and they too are completely oppsoed to selling mining equipment. I got upset a bit. Mining is a sport and recreation, and a way of life for many of us, so why are we being treated like outcasts?! If Cabela's, the world's greatest outfitter has pride carrying mining epuipment, what makes REI so against selling our equipment, or any other mining tools. The corporate lady I talked to was so against it she said "We will never forsee carrying mining equipment!" When I asked her if she'd ever use a pan or went gold prospecting she said 'NO". All she said it wasn't a muscle sport, and again continued telling me REI will never sell mining euqipment. Im banning REI- ! I'd rather shop at places that explore all recreational activities and not poo poo the ones they know nothing about. Just like these beach prospecting laws. There is no bad environmental impact, just good local economy impact. So, why is anyone opposing anything!? The beach opponents I believe are just trying to find ways for the state, once again to make money. Yet REI refuses to make money by selling our equipment? Especially with a gold rush you'd think they would want to at least look at our stuff.? Anyone want to comment on this? Not sure why people are so dead set on being negative on things they know nothing about.

M. Brawn

PS: If anyone knows anything about small scale mining, it is a power muscle sport! After all, don't we get excersice when were out shoveling, dredgeing, walking to the creeks, hiking around the mountains??? We all get tired too! We use our muscles. I'd like to see the corporate lady at REI who opposes mining completley, say its not a muscle sport after 8 hrs of dredging! Or 6 hrs of jack-hammering bedrock & sandstone! :)

M. Brawn

Becoming a member of our PP family soon, Patrick Hines emailed me this to post:

I pay for a Discover Pass, A Fishing License, I donate when I renew my plates, I buy the Endangered Wildlife plate,
I buy permits, I pay property taxes, gas taxes, the list goes on.

Are you seriously considering a fee to metal detect on the beach?

If yes, please reconsider. If yes, this is insane and unconsititutional.

Please advise.

Thank you,
Patrick Hines

Its not just for detecting, but any propsecting. If we dig holes and need a permit, why don't the clam-diggers? (michele brawn)

T. Rautio

When talking with folks who may be in favor of charging a fee to prospect on the ocean beaches (anywhere for that matter) remind them of divide and concure. This is a favorate of government to introduce new fees or legistation. Government officials pit one group against the other, dividing what would be a superior force . While we are bickering the government will be imposing new fees and regulations on all the beach users one after the other.

D. Watson

Only a couple of more days until the meeting. I sure hope we can get a lot of people there. The same people that are fighting us are also trying to add a bunch more land and rivers to the Olympic National Park, which also prohibits mining, logging and other uses that create revenue. Heck, the government can't even take care of what they have already. I guess thats their reasoning to gouge us for more money by charging fees on everything. Also if they make it too costly they'll have it all locked up and without us interfering with their operations it'll be cheaper for them to operate. Please come and if we have a really great showing it might just give them cause to stop and think, although I'm not really sure if they're capable of rational thinking. Doug Watson.

K. Wilson

I am planning on attending, but this is the only prospecting website where I have heard anything about the meeting, and I belong to a lot of prospecting clubs. I think the word needs to be better circulated. See you there.

D. Watson

I've posted the information on 10 different prospecting forums so I' supprised you didn't see it. I don't like to post other forums names in different forums so I won't here. Part of the problem is that most of the clubs don't have an active forum to go with the club so they don't seem to get the info out like they should. Thats one of the many reasons that I like the Prospectors Plus Club better than any I've bee associated with, and I've been active in mining since about 1972. This club is very active with it's members and doing everything they can to help everyone out and I'd like to say thanks to everyone. Doug.

J. Smith

Hi, I'm Sandy Smith, new to the blog. I Intend to go to the meeting in Monesano. Rather then go by myself (in a small pick-up) it would be nice to car pool with someone (for the company) or take one person with me in my little old truck. Give me a call 425-417-2993(cell) I would leave around 2:00 P.M. My schedule is flexible.

M. Brawn

Address is: 112 North Main St. Montesano, Wa. City Hall 6pm. Be there! If questions email: Lisa.Lantz@parks.wa.gov