California Mining-Rights Brief — September 7, 2026
No new California prospecting law, federal mining regulation, court ruling, or amendment to the 1872 Mining Law was finalized this week.
New access alerts
- Ishi Pishi River area: Portions of the Ukonom and Orleans ranger districts in Six Rivers and Klamath national forests are temporarily closed September 6–15 for public safety. Prospectors should avoid the affected river locations and check the closure map before traveling. Official Forest Service alert
- Bailey Cove roads: Forest Roads 34N40Y and 34N40YA in Shasta-Trinity National Forest closed September 4 because two failed culverts are being repaired. This may affect access near Shasta Lake. Shasta-Trinity alerts
- Plumas National Forest: Fire restrictions were reduced to Stage I on September 4 following rainfall, but fire season is not over. Verify current restrictions before camping or operating equipment. Plumas National Forest alerts
Still being watched
- The Forest Service’s proposed Part 228 prospecting-rule rewrite remains a proposal, not current law. Official proposal
- California’s suction-dredging prohibition remains unchanged.
- H.R. 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, remains pending.
- Comments on potential California oil-and-gas leases affecting approximately 36,000 acres close September 20. Leasing would not automatically prohibit prospecting, but members using affected parcels may wish to review the maps. BLM California proposal