A ban on gold dredging would have a disaster effect on local people. A court has ordered the Department of Fish and Game to stop issuing dredging permits. State Senator Sam Aanested is urging the Governor to veto legislation that would stop suction dredging on area waterways.

One local man is trying to feed a family of seven on what he finds in the area water ways. Larry Battenfeld was a local contractor until times turned bad. He took a hobby of gold mining and turned it into a way to keep providing for his family.

“I have a hard time understanding how a state in such financial trouble wants to further shut down things that help people draw in an income for reasons there are no facts behind.”

The legislation stems from a court suit filed on the Klamith River over the destruction of fish habitat. A environmental impact report  completed in the 1990's said suction dredges smaller than four inches cause almost no damage.