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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
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Redding Field Office

Mining

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common mining questions.

Gold Panning

No permit is required for low-impact gold panning, however respect the rights of existing mining claims. There are many areas within the BLM Redding Resource Area that are poular for panning including areas along Butte Creek, Clear Creek and the Trinity River.

Dredging and Sluicing Permits in the Forks of Butte Area

Permits are required for mineral collecting (dredging, sluicing, and other collective techniques) in the Butte Creek Recreation Area. Fill out a Special Recreation Permit Application to reserve a site along Butte Creek. The fee for this permit is $5 per day.

Other sites about mining on Federal land

BLM California State Office Minerals Site has information on filing a mining claim as well as links to other agencies with information on mining claims.

Mining for locatable minerals (gold, silver, etc.) is regulated on BLM managed public lands by the 43 CFR 3809 regulations. (This link will take you outside of the Redding Field Office Web site. Please be patient, this link may take a while.)

Any occupancy (camping, residency, placement of any permanent or temporary structures) in excess of 14 days per calendar year is regulated on BLM managed public lands by the 43 CFR 3715 regulations. (This link will take you outside of the Redding Field Office Web site. Please be patient, this link may take a while.)

A very informative BLM brochure "Mining Claims and Sites on Federal Land" is available for download.