ID H0488

Establishes legislative intent that prospecting and small-scale dredge mining are heritage activities providing economic benefits and can be conducted without harming fish habitat, and therefore should not be regulated under the Idaho Dredge and Placer Mining Protection Act, Stream Channel Alteration Act, or state comprehensive water plans.

Defines "prospecting" as hand panning, hand shoveling, or use of nonmotorized sluice or rocker boxes at or below mean high watermark of stream channels.

Defines "small-scale dredge mining" as extraction of valuable minerals using a dredge unit with subsurface hose of 8 inches or less in diameter, powered by engine or natural pressure, drawing no more than 5 cubic yards per hour of material to sluice portion.

Prohibits state boards, directors, agencies, and political subdivisions from adopting regulations, restrictions, limitations, or prohibitions on prospecting and small-scale dredge mining, except that small-scale dredge mining may be prohibited on national wild and scenic rivers.

Declares existing regulations restricting prospecting and small-scale dredge mining invalid, void, and unenforceable, while preserving enforcement of applicable federal law or regulations.