CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS

UPCOMING MEETING JUNE 21, 2003


The next meeting of the CVGP will be June 21, 2003, 10:00 AM at 
Small Country Campground, Louisa, VA.

DIRECTIONS

From Richmond Area: Interstate 64 to exit 143 (Rt.208-
North)...go 2.5 miles and turn LEFT at small sign onto 640 and 
go 150 yards and turn RIGHT at small sign on 649. Go 2 miles 
(bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Campground 
entrance will be on the right. As you drive up the dirt road, 
pavillion is on right.

From Harrisonburg Area: Route 33 East- go through Ruckersville, 
Barboursville and Gordonsville to Trevillians-at intersection of 
Routes 33 and 22 turn left onto Route 22 then take immediate 
RIGHT onto Rote 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT - go 2 miles 
(bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. 

From Manassas Area: South on Route 29 to Route 15 South. Take 15 
South through Orange to Gordonsville - turn LEFT onto Route 33 - 
take 33 to Trevillians - turn LEFT onto Route 22 and immediately 
turn RIGHT onto Route 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT. Go 2 
miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground

Minutes of May 10, 2003 Meeting

The May 10, 2003 meeting was called to order by President, Ned 
Skinner--about 25 members were present. The minutes of the 
previous meeting were read and the Treasurer's report was given. 

Next, club Claims Committee Chairman, Ben Warner, told us about 
discussions with the VMRC. One of the points he emphasized was 
that if dredging is allowed there will be a requirement that all 
persons involved in the operation will be required to hold a 
card showing completion of the Miner's Safety Course. We are 
planning on another class for this and will let you know when. 
YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR THE SAFETY CLASS 
TO DREDGE IN VIRGINIA.

Grace Battisto then advised us further as to what happened at 
the meeting with the VMRC. She has put the extensive collection 
of information she and Ben presented on a CD. They are now in 
the process of drawing a map showing locations of VIRGINIA 
creeks where we might want to dredge. Each individual location 
is going to have to be approved. If you have a location you want 
included, let Grace know at battisto@vims.edu. She needs the 
name and EXACT location of any creek where you may want to 
dredge because each separate location is going to have to be 
approved. The deadline for giving her this information is the 
end of July. ONLY AT THOSE LOCATIONS ON THE APPROVED LIST WILL 
DREDGING BE ALLOWED!!!! This pursuit is going to take some time 
to bring to a conclusion but progress is being made.

We are very fortunate as a club to have Ben and Grace working on 
this situation. The present status for prospecting in Virginia 
is:

PANNING, SLUICING AND ANY NON-MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT ARE ALLOWED IN 
ANY CREEK IN VIRGINIA. NO DREDGING IS ALLOWED. PLEASE ABIDE BY 
THESE GUIDELINES UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS RESOLVED.

There was a long open discussion with lots of details regarding 
the above--much more detail than I can set out here. Please come 
to the meetings and hear this firsthand.

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE JUNE 21.

REMINDER: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE PLANNED CLUB 
OUTING AT VEIN MOUNTAIN, NC AUGUST 24-30 (or any part of that 
time), please contact Harry McElhone at his new email address 
harrymc.1@juno.com 

The drawing for the gold nuggets was then held. The lucky 
winners were very pleased with the Alaskan and Australian 
nuggets.

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AT THE NEXT MEETING. SOME IMPORTANT THINGS 
ARE HAPPENING THAT WILL DIRECTLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR FUTURE 
GOLD PROSPECTING.

Also, be sure to contact Grace with the information about any 
creek you wish included on the list of those where dredging 
would be allowed.

And last, but definitely not least, contact Harry McElhone if 
you are interested in the outing to Vein Mountain.