Wyoming Prospector’s Association

Regular Meeting Minutes

November 11, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m. at the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton.

Officers present: Jim Brines (President), Jacque Stoldt (Treasurer), and Deb Palmer (Board Member).

There were 18 members, 4 kids and 1 guest at the meeting.

Jacque Stoldt read the meeting minutes from the September 9, 2023 meeting. Deb Palmer motioned to accept the minutes as read. Keith Blair seconded the motion. All ayes; motion passed.

Jacque Stoldt reported that there was no treasurer’s report. There was only 1 check written during this time period, and one deposit.

Correspondence: The annual renewal form for the ICMJ – Prospecting and Mining Journal came, and we have digital and paper options now. Chip Lansberry motioned to renew for 2 years, either in online and in print if we are allowed to share the link to the members only page on the website, or in print only if that isn’t allowed. Kathy Irvin seconded the motion. All ayes; motion passed.

Officer/Committee Reports: Nothing at this time.

Old Business:

Claim Corner Posts: It was decided to table this discussion until spring, when we can get to the claims and do assessments.

BLM changes: BLM has put out 3 options that will impact the areas where we have claims. Keith explained the situation to those present. The BLM has come up with several options for protecting the land in this area, potentially shutting down all public use, including mining, hunting, fishing, even rockhounding and hiking. Anyone who uses these lands needs to send in written comments during the comment period, which ends January 17th, 2024.

BLM land is federal land that was purchased in the Louisiana Purchase. Federal land grants prevented states from acquiring these lands when they became states. Before the BLM was created, there were mining districts. We can re-form mining districts to prevent the BLM from making changes to these lands. All claimants in each district should get involved. There needs to

be officers, by-laws, and posted boundaries of these districts. Districts must be re-instated, and they can’t expand to create more land within their boundaries.

Secretary: This position hadn’t been filled before the meeting, and we really need to make sure that all positions are filled so that we can continue to operate smoothly. Esther Jarvis volunteered to fill this position. Keith Blair motioned to accept Esther’s nomination. Deb Palmer seconded. All ayes; motion passed. Thank you, Esther!!

New Business:

No new business at this time.

The camp chairs left at the outing will be raffled off at next year’s outing if they are not claimed.

The next meeting will be at the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton on January 13, 2024. There will be a potluck lunch at 12:00 p.m., followed by the meeting at 1:00 p.m. If you can’t make it to the meeting, we will have a Zoom meeting set up. Look for the link in your email, or on Facebook.

Gary Calvert won the 50/50 raffle.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH ANYTHING RELATED TO THE WPA, FEEL FREE TO CALL 307-333-3061 OR EMAIL WPAGOLD@WYOMING.COM