The TDEC has officially withdrawn the restrictive draft of the recreational prospecting permit. We are now shifting our focus to monitoring the department to ensure that future discussions regarding gold bearing waters remain transparent and inclusive.
June 3, 2014
Citizens Against The Proposed General Permit for Recreational Prospecting Regulations
Final supporters
To all Concerned Citizens,
The TDEC (The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) has just sent out their final draft of the 2014 Recreational Prospecting Permit. Many changes were made from the last draft that was posted, and after researching the draft and referring to the referenced documents, most of the gold bearing waters in Eastern Tennessee will be closed to recreational prospecting. This includes panning and dredging.
If this permit goes through on June 30, 2014, recreational prospecting as we know it in the state of Tennessee will be severely impacted and most of the waters now open will be closed.This permit covers all PUBLIC and PRIVATE LAND in the State of Tennessee.
Banning recreational prospecting in Tennessee will hurt tourism, family outings, and a good source of income for the businesses in the gold bearing region of the Eastern part of the state. This will impact primarily small businesses inrural areas that depend on tourism for survival. Many families would no longer have the opportunity to pass on the tradition of gold prospecting that dates back to the 1820s in East Tennessee.All we need is some simple "Common Sense" State prospecting rules and regulations , the same ones that are already in place in the Tellico Ranger District.
4:00 p.m. EDT Open House Information Session
6:00 p.m. EDT Presentation & Public Hearing (primary hearing location)
Middle Tennessee Fleming Training Center
2022 Blanton Dr,
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
3:00 p.m. CDT Open House Information Session
5:00 p.m. CDT Presentation & Public Hearing (join Knoxville presentation and hearing by videoconference.)
West Tennessee Jackson Environmental Field Office 1625 Hollywood Drive Jackson, TN 38305
3:00 p.m. CDT Open House Information Session
5:00 p.m. CDT Presentation & Public Hearing (join Knoxville presentation and hearing by videoconference.)
You do not have to be a resident of Tennessee to send in your comments or to attend the hearings. Many come from out of state to prospect here. This permit will affect everyone, not just the prospectors in Tennessee. If you make comments and suggestions make sure your comments are factual and appropriate. Alwaysuse common sense and be polite.
Here is the address to respond to:
Division of Water Resources William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243
We suggest that if you have any contacts on the State level: Senators, Congressmen, Governor, etc; please contact them and let them know you do not support this draft becoming law.
The latest information and links to the permit are posted on the GPAA ( Gold Prospectors Of America ) Coker Creek Tennessee chapter website. http://cokercreekgpaa.com . Log into the forum and scroll down to the 2014 Tennessee Permit Topics. Comments are welcome.
Please step up and help keep recreational prospecting in the state of Tennessee. By adding your name to this petition you are letting TDEC , TWRA, and all local and states representatives know we do not agree with the proposed permit draft and want " Common Sense " Regulations and Permit fees
Updates
April 25, 2014
We have reached the 500 signature threshold. I am currently finalizing a formal letter to TDEC leadership to request a meeting regarding the exclusion zones.
Reached 500 supporters
April 23, 2014
April 22, 2014
We are approaching 500 signatures before the upcoming public hearings. This threshold is required to demonstrate the scale of local opposition when I present our formal feedback to TDEC representatives.
Reached 100 supporters
April 18, 2014
April 16, 2014
We need to hit the one hundred signature milestone before I submit our formal request to the TDEC office. This threshold serves as the minimum evidence of public interest required to secure a formal meeting with the department heads.
16 Comments
What we as gold prospector do, does not hurt the environment, animals or plant life, on the contrary it improves the environment, we remove a lot of contaminants in the course of what we do, we also pick up trash left by other users of the areas we prospect in.
We need to respect the right of the citizens of this country to use what God has blessed us with and also to protect the private property rights of land owners.
Enjoying the Outdoors and gold prospecting as a recreation are freedoms that were fought for. If gold prospecting is banned in Tennessee then let's get serious and stop the real pollutors to our streams. Factory pollution and Fertilizer Pollution are the culprits. Shut it all down. We don't need any meat or any items built in a factory. Heck, anything you want just order it from China. But let's stop that lonely prospector with the "gold pan" in his hand. Don't Tread On Me, Give me Liberty or Give Me Death. Or maybe better put, What Our Own Davy Crockett once said. If this happens, " I am going to Texas and the rest of you can Go To Hell "
I say this affects everyone in the state of TN. I live here and a lot of things are passed on the sneaky side. I can't figure out why this is happening. What does the state have to gain from this? I think it's a loss for us all.
For people like me, this is a hobby. So whats next, ban bowling because of the noise level? I know that statement sounds silly but banning prospecting in our inland waterways doesn't harm them it helps by aerating them. As long as we prospect responsibly there is no harm to the environment.
Most likely to late but just learned of this.
Sounds like just one freedom they want to Take away or cause you to pay for so they stick it in their greedy sick pockets
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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The TDEC has officially withdrawn the restrictive draft of the recreational prospecting permit. We are now shifting our focus to monitoring the department to ensure that future discussions regarding gold bearing waters remain transparent and inclusive.
June 3, 2014
Citizens Against The Proposed General Permit for Recreational Prospecting Regulations
Final supporters
To all Concerned Citizens,
The TDEC (The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) has just sent out their final draft of the 2014 Recreational Prospecting Permit. Many changes were made from the last draft that was posted, and after researching the draft and referring to the referenced documents, most of the gold bearing waters in Eastern Tennessee will be closed to recreational prospecting. This includes panning and dredging.
If this permit goes through on June 30, 2014, recreational prospecting as we know it in the state of Tennessee will be severely impacted and most of the waters now open will be closed.This permit covers all PUBLIC and PRIVATE LAND in the State of Tennessee.
Banning recreational prospecting in Tennessee will hurt tourism, family outings, and a good source of income for the businesses in the gold bearing region of the Eastern part of the state. This will impact primarily small businesses inrural areas that depend on tourism for survival. Many families would no longer have the opportunity to pass on the tradition of gold prospecting that dates back to the 1820s in East Tennessee.All we need is some simple "Common Sense" State prospecting rules and regulations , the same ones that are already in place in the Tellico Ranger District.
4:00 p.m. EDT Open House Information Session
6:00 p.m. EDT Presentation & Public Hearing (primary hearing location)
Middle Tennessee Fleming Training Center
2022 Blanton Dr,
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
3:00 p.m. CDT Open House Information Session
5:00 p.m. CDT Presentation & Public Hearing (join Knoxville presentation and hearing by videoconference.)
West Tennessee Jackson Environmental Field Office 1625 Hollywood Drive Jackson, TN 38305
3:00 p.m. CDT Open House Information Session
5:00 p.m. CDT Presentation & Public Hearing (join Knoxville presentation and hearing by videoconference.)
You do not have to be a resident of Tennessee to send in your comments or to attend the hearings. Many come from out of state to prospect here. This permit will affect everyone, not just the prospectors in Tennessee. If you make comments and suggestions make sure your comments are factual and appropriate. Alwaysuse common sense and be polite.
Here is the address to respond to:
Division of Water Resources William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243
We suggest that if you have any contacts on the State level: Senators, Congressmen, Governor, etc; please contact them and let them know you do not support this draft becoming law.
The latest information and links to the permit are posted on the GPAA ( Gold Prospectors Of America ) Coker Creek Tennessee chapter website. http://cokercreekgpaa.com . Log into the forum and scroll down to the 2014 Tennessee Permit Topics. Comments are welcome.
Please step up and help keep recreational prospecting in the state of Tennessee. By adding your name to this petition you are letting TDEC , TWRA, and all local and states representatives know we do not agree with the proposed permit draft and want " Common Sense " Regulations and Permit fees
Updates
April 25, 2014
We have reached the 500 signature threshold. I am currently finalizing a formal letter to TDEC leadership to request a meeting regarding the exclusion zones.
Reached 500 supporters
April 23, 2014
April 22, 2014
We are approaching 500 signatures before the upcoming public hearings. This threshold is required to demonstrate the scale of local opposition when I present our formal feedback to TDEC representatives.
Reached 100 supporters
April 18, 2014
April 16, 2014
We need to hit the one hundred signature milestone before I submit our formal request to the TDEC office. This threshold serves as the minimum evidence of public interest required to secure a formal meeting with the department heads.
16 Comments
It is imperative that these arcane regulations be stopped and a realistic common sense approach be taken in the regulation of prospecting in Tennessee! The erosion of our personal freedoms in this country is an issue I am passionate about! If these regulations do not directly affect you, you can sit back and do nothing. But trust me when I say that they will eventually. I strongly believe that now is the time to take a stand and help those in need! You are next!
What we as gold prospector do, does not hurt the environment, animals or plant life, on the contrary it improves the environment, we remove a lot of contaminants in the course of what we do, we also pick up trash left by other users of the areas we prospect in.
We need to respect the right of the citizens of this country to use what God has blessed us with and also to protect the private property rights of land owners.
Enjoying the Outdoors and gold prospecting as a recreation are freedoms that were fought for. If gold prospecting is banned in Tennessee then let's get serious and stop the real pollutors to our streams. Factory pollution and Fertilizer Pollution are the culprits. Shut it all down. We don't need any meat or any items built in a factory. Heck, anything you want just order it from China. But let's stop that lonely prospector with the "gold pan" in his hand. Don't Tread On Me, Give me Liberty or Give Me Death. Or maybe better put, What Our Own Davy Crockett once said. If this happens, " I am going to Texas and the rest of you can Go To Hell "
I say this affects everyone in the state of TN. I live here and a lot of things are passed on the sneaky side. I can't figure out why this is happening. What does the state have to gain from this? I think it's a loss for us all.
For people like me, this is a hobby. So whats next, ban bowling because of the noise level? I know that statement sounds silly but banning prospecting in our inland waterways doesn't harm them it helps by aerating them. As long as we prospect responsibly there is no harm to the environment.
Most likely to late but just learned of this.
Sounds like just one freedom they want to Take away or cause you to pay for so they stick it in their greedy sick pockets
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It is imperative that these arcane regulations be stopped and a realistic common sense approach be taken in the regulation of prospecting in Tennessee! The erosion of our personal freedoms in this country is an issue I am passionate about! If these regulations do not directly affect you, you can sit back and do nothing. But trust me when I say that they will eventually. I strongly believe that now is the time to take a stand and help those in need! You are next!