-IR- Database Guide
-IR- Database: Indiana Register

TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Final Rule
LSA Document #09-80(F)

DIGEST

Adds 312 IAC 6-2-3.8, 312 IAC 6-2-6.8, and 312 IAC 6-5-10 concerning navigable waters and 312 IAC 10-2-24.5, 312 IAC 10-2-33.3, and 312 IAC 10-5-11 concerning nonnavigable waters to address general licenses and individual licenses that govern prospecting for hard mineral resources. Effective 30 days after filing with the Publisher.



SECTION 1. 312 IAC 6-2-3.8 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 6-2-3.8 "Hard mineral resources" defined

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5; IC 14-29-1-8


Sec. 3.8. "Hard mineral resources" means naturally occurring alluvial deposits of the following:
(1) Gold.
(2) Platinum.
(3) Silver.
(4) Lead.
(5) Copper.
(6) Diamonds and other gemstones.
(7) Other similar materials.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 6-2-3.8; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


SECTION 2. 312 IAC 6-2-6.8 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 6-2-6.8 "Prospecting" defined

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5; IC 14-29-1-8


Sec. 6.8. "Prospecting" refers to activities conducted in preparation for or to remove hard mineral resources.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 6-2-6.8; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


SECTION 3. 312 IAC 6-5-10 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 6-5-10 Prospecting in a navigable waterway

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5; IC 14-29-1-8


Sec. 10. (a) This section governs prospecting in a navigable waterway that is subject to IC 14-28-1, IC 14-29-1, or IC 14-29-3.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in this section, a person must not engage in prospecting except as approved by the department in a written license.

(c) Without a written license or notice to the department, and except as provided in subsection (d), a person may engage in prospecting within the ordinary high watermark of a navigable waterway upon compliance with each of the following conditions:
(1) Lawful ingress to and egress from the navigable waterway is obtained.
(2) Written permission is obtained from any affected riparian owner.
(3) Prospecting is performed exclusively by one (1) or a combination of the following processes:
(A) Without the use of equipment.
(B) With the use of nonmotorized equipment, such as a pan, sluice box, or pick and shovel.
(C) With the use of suction equipment, including motorized equipment, having a hand-operated nozzle that has an opening not larger than five (5) inches in diameter.
(4) No mercury or other chemicals are used to assist with the recovery of hard mineral resources.
(5) Activities occur exclusively between sunrise and sunset.
(6) No mussels are taken as prescribed by 312 IAC 9-9-3.
(7) No endangered species are taken as prescribed by IC 14-22-34-12.

(d) The following waterways do not qualify for prospecting under subsection (c) or under 312 IAC 10-5-11(c):
(1) Big Blue River in Harrison County, Crawford County, and Washington County from river mile 57.2 downstream to river mile 11.5.
(2) The East Branch of the Little Calumet River in Porter County.
(3) Lake Michigan.
(4) The Portage Burns Waterway in Porter County.
(5) St. Joseph River in St. Joseph County from the Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka downstream to the Michigan State Line.

(e) Nothing in this section is intended to modify the rights of riparian owners.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 6-5-10; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


SECTION 4. 312 IAC 10-2-24.5 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 10-2-24.5 "Hard mineral resources" defined

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5; IC 14-29-1-8


Sec. 24.5. "Hard mineral resources" means naturally occurring alluvial deposits of the following:
(1) Gold.
(2) Platinum.
(3) Silver.
(4) Lead.
(5) Copper.
(6) Diamonds and other gemstones.
(7) Other similar materials.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 10-2-24.5; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


SECTION 5. 312 IAC 10-2-33.3 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 10-2-33.3 "Prospecting" defined

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5; IC 14-29-1-8


Sec. 33.3. "Prospecting" refers to activities conducted in preparation for or to remove hard mineral resources.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 10-2-33.3; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


SECTION 6. 312 IAC 10-5-11 IS ADDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

312 IAC 10-5-11 Prospecting in a nonnavigable waterway

Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-28-1-5;


Sec. 11. (a) This section governs prospecting in a nonnavigable waterway that is subject to IC 14-28-1 and this article.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in this section, a person must not engage in prospecting in a nonnavigable waterway except as approved by the department in a written license.

(c) Without a written license or notice to the department, a person may engage in prospecting in a nonnavigable waterway upon compliance with each of the following conditions:
(1) Lawful ingress to and egress from the waterway is obtained.
(2) Written permission is obtained from the property owner or owners.
(3) Prospecting is performed exclusively by one (1) or a combination of the following processes:
(A) Without the use of equipment.
(B) With the use of nonmotorized equipment, such as a pan, sluice box, or pick and shovel.
(C) With the use of suction equipment, including motorized equipment, having a hand-operated nozzle that has an opening not larger than five (5) inches in diameter.
(4) No mercury or other chemicals are used to assist with the recovery of hard mineral resources.
(5) Activities occur exclusively between sunrise and sunset.
(6) No mussels are taken as prescribed by 312 IAC 9-9-3.
(7) No endangered species are taken as prescribed by IC 14-22-34-12.

(d) In addition to the waterways disqualified by 312 IAC 6-5-10(d), the following waterways do not qualify for prospecting under subsection (c):
(1) Cedar Creek in Allen County and Dekalb County from river mile 13.7 to the confluence with the St. Joseph River.
(2) Galien River in LaPorte County and its tributaries.
(3) North Fork of Wildcat Creek in Tippecanoe County and Carroll County from river mile 43.11 to river mile 4.82 and the South Fork of Wildcat Creek in Tippecanoe County from river mile 10.21 to river mile 0.00.
(4) Trail Creek in LaPorte County and its tributaries.
(5) Tributaries of the East Branch of the Little Calumet River.
(6) Tributaries of the St. Joseph River that have their confluences downstream of the Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka.

(e) Nothing in this section is intended to modify the rights of riparian owners.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 10-5-11; filed Nov 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA)


LSA Document #09-80(F)
Notice of Intent: 20090211-IR-312090080NIA
Proposed Rule: 20090722-IR-312090080PRA
Hearing Held: August 24, 2009
Approved by Attorney General: October 19, 2009
Approved by Governor: November 3, 2009
Filed with Publisher: November 3, 2009, 3:35 p.m.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None Received by Publisher
Small Business Regulatory Coordinator: Linnea Petercheff, Staff Specialist, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Government Center South, 402 West Washington Street, Room W273, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, (317) 233-6527, lpetercheff@dnr.in.gov

Posted: 12/02/2009 by Legislative Services Agency

DIN: 20091202-IR-312090080FRA
Composed: May 01,2024 7:50:44AM EDT
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