Developing StorySUBMIT COMMENTSConcerned citizens may submit comments in writing to: the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources; William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 11th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243.Comments must be received by May 27.
Those with dreams of acquiring riches by finding gold in Tennessee streams have 10 days left to voice their concerns about a proposed permit that would require some prospectors to obtain state permission before hitting the water.
The idea of the permit is to protect local waters from commercial prospecting and environmentally dangerous techniques while still allowing those who prospect as a hobby to legally enjoy their time on the water in search of the rare gold traces that can be found.
A recent interest in gold prospecting spawned by reality TV shows depicting it as a means of financial profit is at least partially responsible for the need to further regulate an otherwise small-scale activity, said Jonathon Burr, who oversees surface mining for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Public hearings about the draft were held in Knoxville, Jackson and Murfreesboro on Thursday. But the public comment period continues until May 27 when officials will take all the feedback they’ve gathered and revise the permit.