RECREATIONAL PROSPECTING
IN THE COMMONWEALTH’S WATERWAYS
BACKGROUND
Recreational prospecting is the search for precious metals, gemstones and semi-precious minerals. In Pennsylvania, hunting for gold is the most common form of recreational prospecting. Prospecting enthusiasts often hunt for gold at public rights of way where bridges cross gold-bearing streams using a shovel and gold pan. Prospecting equipment can be found at hobby stores, rock shops, metal detector retailers and hardware stores in areas where gold hunting is popular.
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT NOT REQUIRING PERMITS
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRING PERMITS
PERMITTING
If you are planning to use a suction dredge or high-banker, you must first apply for a permit from the appropriate Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regional office. Applicants are encouraged to have a pre-application meeting with DEP to discuss the nature and scope of their proposed activities before applying for this permit. To ensure that the pre-application meeting is as productive as possible for both parties, applicants must be prepared to discuss the following issues:
When applying for a permit, applicants should also consider:
Stocked trout streams March 1 – June 15
Wild trout streams Oct. 1 – Dec. 31
Lake Erie tributaries Sept. 1 – April 30
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
The removal of precious metals, gemstones or minerals from submerged lands of this commonwealth in quantities, which are commercially usable or marketable, in conjunction with any permitted dredging activity is subject to the royalty and agreement provisions of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. DEP’s regional offices can help determine if you are prospecting on submerged lands.
If you plan to prospect on state game land, state forestland or in a state park, please contact the appropriate agencies before prospecting to ensure that you are familiar with their rules and regulations.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
DEP permits do not convey any property rights. You must obtain permission from the property owner before prospecting on private property or public lands.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, please contact your local DEP Permitting and Technical Services Section at one of the following regional offices:
Northcentral Region 208 W. Third St., Suite 101 Williamsport, PA 17701 570-327-3574 Counties: Bradford, Cameron, Clearfield, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union |
Northeast Region 2 Public Square Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790 570-826-2511 Counties: Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming |
Northwest Region 230 Chestnut Street Meadville, PA 16335-3481 814-332-6984 Counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren |
Southcentral Region 909 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110-8200 717-705-4707 Counties: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York |
Southeast Region 2 East Main Street Norristown, PA 19401 484-250-5970 Counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia |
Southwest Region 400 Waterfront Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745 412-442-4000 Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland |
DEP Central Office
Bureau of Watershed Management
Division of Waterways, Wetlands and Stormwater Management
P.O. Box 8775
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8775
717-787-6827
OTHER RESOURCE AGENCIES
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street
P.O. Box 8767
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8767
717-787-2869
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Pennsylvania Game Commission
Bureau of Fisheries Bureau of Wildlife Protection
450 Robinson Lane 2001 Elmerton Avenue
Bellefonte, PA 16823-9620 Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
814-359-5110 717-787-5740
For more information, visit DEP’s Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Prospecting."
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Edward G. Rendell, Governor - Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary
An Equal Opportunity Employer 3930-FS-DEP4099 4/2007