On Sept 14th, 2009, PLP filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn California SB 670 which is now a law that prohibits suction dredging in California.We are in the fight of our lives, but, this may well be the dark before the dawn, if we prevail.A positive ruling in Federal Court will make it much, much harder for third parties to harass miners and others by suing state agencies, manipulating local politicians, or shopping for biased, environmental, activist, state judges.CA State Judge Frank Roesch ordered the California Dept of Fish and Game (DFG) to stop issuing dredging permits due to the environmental harm they caused, in spite of no supporting scientific evidence and testimony by a retired EPA scientist and the DFG to the contrary!This is not our only active lawsuit.We currently have four active lawsuit protecting your rights! Under the mining acts of 1866 and 1872 you have a federally protected right to access, occupy and work your claim.These rights are under constant attack by special interests that are against the multiple-use land regulations.What would your claim be worth if: ¨The road access was closed?Can you carry your equipment several miles to your claim? ¨A federal agency (Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, etc.) unilaterally equates motorized dredges or dry washers with bulldozers and dynamite in order to get around the casual use rules. ¨A state agency attempts to restrict your rights to settle a lawsuit they don’t want to defend or pay for. ¨You are prevented from occupying your claim while there to mine. ¨You are not allowed to park on state roads near your claim, or are forced to buy “Special Use” permits to park at your claim. ¨Having lost multiple lawsuits, with the help of biased politicians complainants short circuit state and federal due process laws, to certify certain “facts” to be true with no need to have scientific evidence.Were you aware a court or legislature could declare the earth to be flat and it would become a legal fact? These are not theoretical examples! The PLP has been successfully defending miner’s rights since 1990!Do you know of any other organization fighting for your mining rights?
PLP WILL NOT COMPROMISE YOUR RIGHTS
PLP is an all volunteer organization!No salaries are paid, no junkets, no shenanigans, period!PLP’s primary expense is to pay our lawyers for their legal research and representation.We have been overwhelmingly successful because the law is on our side. Help us fight for your rights! - Join with us to save your access! - Your membership is our main support. Membership Renewals and Donations can be paid via credit card online at Join / Donate. Your payment will be securely processed. What are the benefits of membership?If you are contacted by a Public Servant, pulling out your Orange PLP Challenge Card may be all it takes to end the harassment.If not, PLP may contact the offending agency on your behalf.In many cases, that is all it takes to resolve the issue favorably. PLP will give you all the information you need to stand on your own. Knowledge is power and we can give you that knowledge! PLP has litigated in the past to stop illegal harassment and force state and federal agencies to follow the law
