1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; requiring rulemaking for recreational prospecting.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. RECREATIONAL PROSPECTING; RULEMAKING.
 1.5 	The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules to distinguish 
1.6 	between recreational and commercial prospecting for minerals and to allow individuals 
1.7 	to recreationally prospect for minerals and retain possession of any minerals found. The 
1.8 	commissioner shall allow the following equipment for use by recreational prospectors:
1.9 	(1) a hand-fed and operated sluice box device of 2,880 cubic inches or less;
1.10 	(2) a hand-operated panning device of 20 inches diameter or less;
1.11 	(3) a power sluice with a riffle box of 2,880 cubic inches or less using a powered 
1.12 	water pump with a discharge nozzle of two inches or less;
1.13 	(4) a hand-operated rocker box with a riffle tray area of 2,880 cubic inches or less;
1.14 	(5) a floating dredge with riffle trays of 2,880 cubic inches or less powered by one 
1.15 	or more pumps with a discharge nozzle of two inches or less and a suction hose and 
1.16 	nozzle of three inches diameter or less; and
1.17 	(6) other equipment classified as recreational and allowed for use by other states 
1.18 	that operate under the 1872 mining laws.