West End Prospectors Corp.

Footage courtesy of new member Lyle Majeska. 

Footage courtesy of new member Lyle Majeska.

Due to the surge in the pandemic, we will be cancelling the general meeting and outing.  Keep checking back for the September meetings.  However, the claims are still wide open and ready for gold mining.

Current Fire RestrictionsFire restrictions and guidelines effective Friday, May 29, 2020, on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, except in a Forest Service provided campfire ring or BBQ within a Developed Recreation Site. 36 CFR 261.52(a).

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
36 CFR 261.52(d).

3. Operating an internal combustion engine off paved, gravel or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, except boats on a water surface. 36 CFR 261.52(h).

4. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR 26 1 .52(i).

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/home/?cid=fsbdev7_007776

We are going to cancel the outing and general meeting at the Buckshot claim on the July 4th weekend.  However, the claims are still open and mining continues despite any viruses with social distancing.  We are hoping for the Labor Day meeting in September to be possible at this point.  We are also considering an outdoor meeting at the Lion's Club in August, so stay tuned.  We have also changed the date for dues due to COVID.  Dues of $50 are now due for this year only on 8/31/20 or sooner.  There are higher rates if paid later and if not paid by 11/15/20, membership will lapse.  Please see the form on this site under the membership tab.  Thanks!

We are cancelling the June general meeting, board meeting, and outing to Buckshot due to the pandemic and concern for group gatherings.  However, the claims remain open and many members are still finding gold while using social distancing methods.  The June elections have also been postponed until a later date.  We will announce the new election date when it is feasible.  The July general meeting in Big Bear is still scheduled, but we will have to wait and see if this can go on.  Thanks for your patience!

We will be cancelling the May outing for the club during Memorial Weekend at Yellow Gopher in Coolgardie.  However, it looks like there will still be some club members on the claim that weekend mining in a social-distancing fashion.  Mining is considered an essential function for our nation and we are all small miners.  Stay safe out there!

Here is some information from Jim Wharff of First Class miners, concerning adding Jushua Trees to Threatened Species Listings. Included is a sample petition letter.

Good afternoon members,

Below is an email sent out by San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe.  This has to do with the Center for Biological Diversity wanting the California Fish & Game Commission to list the Joshua Tree as a threatened species.  First of all, anything having to do with the Center for Biological Diversity is not or cannot be good for mining, professional, recreational, small scale or whatever.  Nor good off roading, hunting, etc..  As for us it will another way to shut off the Rattlesnake area claims.  Take my word for it if the Joshua Tree gains protection under the California Endangered Species Act we will lose the Rattlesnake claims.  How?  By closing the roads, it has been done before.  If you give a damn write your letter and it can be sent by email (address shown below) or snail mail (address is in the attached sample letter).  First read everything, use the sample letter as a guide, turn it into your own words.  Members outside the county and write also.  Do it today.

“I am writing to make sure you are all aware that the Center for Biological Diversity has submitted a proposal

 proposal to list the western Joshua tree as a threatened species is under consideration by the California Fish and Game Commission. If this proposal is approved, the Joshua tree would be protected under the California Endangered Species Act, a move that would effectively halt the development of private property within large swaths of the California desert and bring the state government into the backyards of desert residents uninvited.  

Unfortunately, the current state and county rules mean that we will not be able to have the general meeting for May.  Let's hope for June.  Check back to the site for details.