Here is the 5th gold nugget(.557 oz). There will also be 20 one-ounce American Silver Eagles!
Update: We sent out a newsletter a few weeks ago announcing that Tucker Clements was cited last season by a Department Wildlife (DFW) officer for dredging in the Salmon River (California). The citation relied upon California Section 5653(d) possession of a suction dredge within 300 feet of a California waterway.
Grand Prize #4
During the preliminary hearing in mid-April of this year, Tucker submitted his partnership agreement to the Court and made the argument that in accordance with Section 5653.8 partnerships, corporations or other organizations are exempt from Section 5653. The District Attorney read that part of the Section, looked at the partnership agreement, and motioned the Court to dismiss the case against Tucker because he had met his legal obligation according to the law. The Court agreed and Tucker’s dredging citation was dismissed.
We more recently have discovered that the District Attorney has since charged Tucker again. However, Tucker has traveled up to Alaska and he cannot be served with the citation. Therefore, we cannot see what the new charges are.
Grand Prize #3
Meanwhile, relying upon the Court’s Order, Tucker’s partner, Dave Coffey, has been cited for Section 5653 (e) for “dredging on a closed waterway”. The warden who issued the citation told Dave that despite the Court’s Order in Tucker’s case, suction dredging remains against the law.
Needless to say, that we should be able to rely upon an Order from the Siskiyou County Court. What is the use of going to Court if the California State officials are going to ignore or disregard the Court’s Order?
Grand Prize #2
While Dave intends to represent himself in Court, he has consented to allow The New 49’ers to submit an amicus brief on his and our behalf. The amicus brief will largely be based upon Section 5653.8 and the Siskiyou County Court Order that Dave’s partner had met its obligations under the law. We have a corporate stake in the outcome of Dave’s case because it will affect the livelihoods of our hundreds of active members and of the corporation itself. Section 5653.8 might give us the right to intervene.
Since Tucker is out of state, we are assuming that Dave’s case will be decided first.
Relying upon the Court’s Order, we have members actively dredging and high-banking along our claims, but mostly out of view from the highway to avoid further conflict.
Grand prize #1
In light of all of this legal activity, we believe it would be wise to do our best Legal Fund drawing ever. So, I have reached into my personal gold nugget collection and come up with five gold nuggets as the top prizes:
Grand prize #1: .385 oz; Grand Prize #2: .467 oz; Grand Prize #3: .273 oz; Grand Prize #4: .347 oz; Grand Prize #5: .557 oz
Our local gold buyer offered to purchase these five nuggets at spot price, which today would mean 2.3 ounces times the spot price of gold $3,361 (and climbing), which equals $6,819.00
There will also be 20 American 1-ounce Silver Eagles. (41.36 each at today’s price). Total value: $827.20.
Our office will automatically generate a ticket in your name for every $10 legal contribution we receive ($100 will generate 10 tickets, etc.).
The Donation Page will open in a new window
This drawing will take place at our offices in Happy Camp at the close of business on 29 September 2025. You do not need to be a member of our organization to participate. You do not need to be present to win, but you are welcome to be present during the drawing. There is no limit to the size or frequency of your contributions, or to the number of prizes you can win.
Legal contributions can be arranged by calling (530) 493-2012, by mailing to The New 49′ers Legal Fund, P.O. Box 47, Happy Camp, CA 96039, or online by clicking here. Look for our new PayPal contribution link here. Remember, all contributions to The New 49’ers Legal Fund are tax deductible.
I know, after all this time, you guys will understand how important it is for us to win this battle. The Court and District Attorney have already issued a Decision that 5653.8 exempts partners, corporations or other organizations from Section 5653 (California’s suction dredge regulation). That Decision has not been appealed.
Our future as small-scale gold miners largely depends upon how these cases are resolved.
Thank you very much for your contributions to this effort!
Dave McCracken
The New 49’er Legal Fund
The New 49’er Legal Fund, 27 Davis Road, Happy Camp, CA 96039 (530) 493-2012
New 49’er Legal Fund-raiser!
