Geology
Following are links to information you may need to prepare and submit a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations for mineral exploration on NFS lands.
Please contact the following program area specialists if you require further information or assistance:
Salmon-Challis National Forest Minerals & Geology Program Staff
Glenwood Brittain, 208-768-7782 (Program Manager, Salmon); glenwood.brittain@usda.gov
Kaitlyn Berckmann, 208-416-7396 (Geologist, Salmon); kaitlyn.berckmann@usda.gov
Brian Ferwerda, 208-993-9752 (Geologist, Salmon); Brian.Ferwerda@usda.gov
Amanda Kriwox, 208-879-4153 (Geologist, Challis); amanda.kriwox@usda.gov
Cassandra Kollenberg, 208-768-7619 (Minerals Natural Resource Specialist, Salmon); cassandra.kollenberg@usda.gov
The Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980 withdrew the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness area from mineral location and prohibits all forms of placer mining in the Middle Fork Salmon River and its tributaries in their entirety. Tributaries to the Middle Fork Salmon where placer mining is prohibited include, but are not limited to, Loon Creek, Marsh Creek, Elk Creek, Bear Valley Creek, and Rapid River.
Interested in Rockhounding? Check out this brochure specific to Salmon-Challis National Forest and brochure for more general information!
Mineral Exploration on the Salmon-Challis National Forest -- What to Expect
Suction Dredging, Sluicing and Panning on the SCNF
General Permitting | Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Aquatic Invasive Species Program — Invasive Species of Idaho
Anadromous Fish Strainers for Use in Wildland Drafting Operations
Mineral, Rock Collection, and Metal Detecting on the National Forests
EPA on Suction Dredging in Idaho
Mining Claims and Sites on Federal Lands
Idaho Department of Water Resources
The Salmon-Challis does not have a designated recreational gold panning area. The Forest Service does not generally regulate incidental recreational panning as long as the activity is short-term; however, digging in streams or banks with picks, shovels, or other equipment is not allowed without a specific authorization from the Forest Service. Occasional collection of small “pocket size” rock and mineral specimens is generally not regulated by the Forest Service.
Use of metal detectors to locate mineral deposits, such as gold or silver, or to search for treasure troves or historical and pre-historical artifacts and features requires Forest Service authorization. Metal detectors can be used without a permit to search for recent (non-historic) coins and lost metal objects only in campgrounds and other such recreation sites. However, digging or other disturbance of surface resources to recover such objects is forbidden without prior authorization.
Most other mineral-prospecting activities require specific authorization from the Forest Service. More information about rocks and minerals on the Salmon Challis National Forest is provided in the attached pamphlet.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Idaho issue suction dredge permits with attachments indicating rivers and streams where the dredges are not permitted. The Salmon River and its tributaries within the Salmon-Challis National Forest are CLOSED to suction dredging. The permits do not cover these rivers and streams.
The Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980 withdrew the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness from mineral location (cannot stake claims) and prohibits all forms of placer mining in the Middle Fork Salmon River and its tributaries in their entirety. Among the Middle Fork Salmon tributaries where placer mining is prohibited are: Loon Creek, Marsh Creek, Elk Creek, Bear Valley Creek, and Rapid River.