From the BLM Website: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/minerals/locatable_minerals/placer_mining/Arkansas_River_Dredge_Permit.html

BLM acquired the Cache Creek Area in 2002 to protect important wildlife, aquatic and riparian values and to offer recreational-level placer mining.  Recreational mining consists of non-motorized and non-mechanical activities such as panning. This activity is allowed on most public lands.  “High banking” is considered motorized sluicing (43 CFR 8365.1–5) and is not recreational level mining. High banking is administered under the 1872 Mining Law.  Because the Cache Creek Area is acquired land, the area is not subject to the 1872 Mining Law.

Over the past two years, activity at the Cache Creek Placer Area has increased drastically. Greater visitation has led to user conflicts and damage to the area’s natural resources, prompting BLM to take a hard look at past and present activities in this area. Based on that review of BLM regulations, the RGFO determined that “mining” activities on the Cache Creek property should be limited to recreational-level mining and should not include motorized or mechanical devices to aid in the collection of minerals.

Therefore, starting on Memorial Day in 2012 (May 28), high banking activities will no longer be permitted at the Cache Creek Placer area. Recreational-level gold panning and other non-mechanized/non-motorized activities will continue to be allowed in the area.

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