Coldorado -- BLM Postpones Implementing New 2016 EA/Mgt Plan at Cache Creek!

Hey Gold Adventurers...

GREAT NEWS!

Looks like BLM has decided to simply leave things as they have been the last few years, for 2016 and NOT implement their new EA/Mgt Plan.

This will allow us full year access, the ability to prospect on the full 2,160-acres, allow us to still run a sluice box in the creek, not worry about OSHA-style digging rules or have to get a permit to prospect and pay $5 a day or $25 a "season".

Apparently, the Protest/Appeal I filed with the IBLA and BLM's ongoing staffing of their permit/fee plan is holding things up for now.  GOOD!

All this said, we prospectors simply must keep the pressure on BLM thru Senator Cory Gardner & Congressman Doug Lamborn's offices to force BLM to leave things as they are, under the current EA/Mgt Plan and rescind their new 2016 EA/Mgt Plan, or I am telling you this is just a 1 year reprieve and BLM will come back in 2017...

Please call, write and e-mail Gardner & Lamborn offices and ask they help keep Cache Creek as it is today.....open for recreational gold prospecting without excess B.S. rules that always favor plants & fish.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Kinda funny................Kalem closes by saying, "Enjoy prospecting at Cache Creek."

Hmmm...  IF he and BLM really meant that, they'd just leave things alone and rescind their latest EA/Mgt Plan.  Makes me somehow think too that implied in his closing exhortation is, ".......while you still can".  

BLM's -mail below as reference...

Randy  C-17A  

------------------
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Lenard, James (Kalem)" <jlenard@blm.gov>
To: Ronald Mathews <ronaldmathews183@yahoo.com>
Cc: Keith Berger <kberger@blm.gov>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2016 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: Cache Creek Placer Area Management Plan

Ron,

None of the actions in the proposed action will be implemented this year.  Business as usual.  There are additional required steps to put the permit program into place which require reviews at all levels of the department. Needless to say the next process usually takes awhile.  Additionally an appeal has been filed on the decision so it will take a while before that gets sorted out.

Enjoy prospecting at Cache Creek.

Kalem Lenard
Outdoor Recreation Planner-Royal Gorge Field Office
3028 E Main Street
Canon City, CO 81212
719-269-8538
jlenard@blm.gov


On Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 7:05 PM, Ronald Mathews <ronaldmathews183@yahoo.com> wrote:

Kalem:

My Name is Ronald Mathews, I am looking for an update/status on the implementation of the Cache Creek Placer Area Management Plan, talked to you at a couple of meetings, think the last was the COS AHRA/CPW/BLM Scoping Meeting.  Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching and I am getting anxious to do a little prospecting after another long winter.  I saw that the Decision Record was signed by Keith Berger on 2/23/16 and it read like it was going to implemented this year.  Is BLM going to implement in-whole or part the Plan this year?  When will an announcement be made and when will the annual permit's be available for purchase?  Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.....

Thanks

Ron

CONGRATULATIONS on a job WELL DONE Randy!

Russ,

Thanks...............BUT, I am not, was not the only one that's helped fight BLM for this temporary reprieve...

Big thanks goes out to......the "Chief".....Ron Matthews. Gary Mason. Everyone else too that's sent in prospector inputs against this EA/Plan drafts # 1 and # 2.......attended BLM scoping meetings, etc. It's a big "team win"!

Now, to keep the pressure on... We recreational gold prospectors shouldn't have to live in perpetual fear of "our government".......wonder what secret/backdoor deal is being worked with the extreme environmentalists to eventually shut us down, run us all off OUR public lands.

Randy C-17A

Thank you for your work on this issue. I haven't been to Cache Creek yet but I plan on it. The creek is about 2.5 hours drive on a good day from where I live. I would like to head up there with some people that know the area.

NFREYTAG,

Thanks...

Well, if and when you decide to make the "hike" up to Cache Creek, let me now. MAYBE I can meet you for a day of dirt washing fun.

Randy C-17A

I'll let you know when I'm headed that way. A friend of mine I work with has been up there several times. We are planning a day to head out to Cache Creek around our 50+ hour work weeks

I wrote a letter to Senator Gardner's office last week. Please take the time to do the same folks.