Over the Divide

Dear PLP Supporters and Friends,

It is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of longtime prospector and PLP supporter Dave Fjeld. The small scale mining community has lost one of its own; the type of person who answers to a higher calling, gives without complaint, and stays true to their beliefs. Dave’s wife Carolyn shared with us the idea to set up a memorial donation fund in Dave’s name, along with adding the thoughtful words below.
 
From Carolyn Fjeld:
 
GPAA member Dave Fjeld passed away June 12, 2015.  He was an active member of the Pony Express Prospectors club in St. Joseph, MO.  He was also a member of the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association (LDMA) and Show Me Gold Prospectors club. Dave passed shortly after returning from a month-long trip to the LDMA camp in Stanton, AZ.  He spent his last active month doing what he loved – prospecting for gold, other treasures and sharing this love with others.  His son, Jeremy, and brother-in-law, Russ, joined him on this final outing.
Dave was a huge supporter of PLP, donating money to the cause each year.  He believed in what PLP stands for – that our government lands should be accessed and enjoyed by the public who pay for its acquisition and maintenance.
 
It would be Dave’s wish to have family, friends, and fellow prospectors donate to PLP in his honor. For those who have an interest in doing so, please navigate to:
 
http://www.publiclandsforthepeople.org/join/ 

After clicking the Donation button, please be sure to find the special instructions box and earmark your donation for Dave’s Memorial Fund.

Thank you,
Walt Wegner
PLP President

PLP to Defend Small Miner in the 9th Circuit Court

The Board of Directors voted unanimously to take up and fund the defense of John Godfrey in the Ninth Circuit Court on the two remaining charges brought against him by the Department of Agriculture for mining with hand tools on his mining claim. PLP Northern Director Clark Pearson has been working with the federal defenders office from the beginning of this case. To date, three of the five charges brought against Mr. Godfrey have been reversed. PLP admires Mr. Godfrey’s willingness to stand firm on his rights and not cave to an oppressive agency that often abuses the authority given to it by the people. The two charges left are:
Count #3 36 C.F.R. 261.9 (a) Damaging any natural feature or property of the United States.
Count #4 36 C.F.R. 261 which prohibits “constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment, significant surface disturbance, or other improvement on National Forest System lands or facilities
without a special-use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan when such authorization is required.”
Public Lands for the People is honored to take up this case on behalf of Mr. Godfrey and the mining community at large. Please consider taking ownership of this fight with us and the many PLP supporters across the United States. Many, many of you have stood with us in the legal fights for your rights over the past 25 years, and we sincerely appreciate that (as do your fellow miners and public land users)! We can’t do what we do without you doing what you do.
To become a PLP member, make a tax deductible donation, or find other news of interest, please go to:

http://www.publiclandsforthepeople.org

Public Lands for the People
20209 Ventura Bl. Ste. 47-466
Woodland Hills CA 91364

And remember- “Let’s take it back and KEEP IT!”

Walt Wegner
President, Public Lands for the People