CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS Upcoming Meeting April 19, 2003 What a great meeting we had in March--over 60 people attended and there was a great presentation given about dredging rules and regulations for Virginia. There is more information in the meeting minutes below. Hope we have as good a turnout for the April meeting. The next meeting will be April 19, 2003 beginning at 10:00 AM--Small Country Campground, Louisa, VA. DIRECTIONS: From Richmond Area: Interstate 64 to exit 143 (Rt.208-North)...go 2.5 miles and turn LEFT at small sign onto 640 and go 150 yards and turn RIGHT at small sign on 649. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Campground entrance will be on the right. As you drive up the dirt road, pavillion is on right. From Harrisonburg Area: Route 33 East- go through Ruckersville, Barboursville and Gordonsville to Trevillians-at intersection of Routes 33 and 22 turn left onto Route 22 then take immediate RIGHT onto Rote 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT - go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. From Manassas Area: South on Route 29 to Route 15 South. Take 15 South through Orange to Gordonsville - turn LEFT onto Route 33 - take 33 to Trevillians - turn LEFT onto Route 22 and immediately turn RIGHT onto Route 613 - go to Route 649 and turn LEFT. Go 2 miles (bearing left on 649) into Small Country Campground. Minutes of March 15, 2003 Meeting CENTRAL VIRGINIA GOLD PROSPECTORS MINUTES MARCH 15, 2003 MEETING On March 15, 2003, the first meeting of the new season was called to order at 10:20 AM. There was a great turnout with over 60 people present. The meeting started with a moment of silence. Guests and prospective new members were then acknowledged, some having come from as far away as Pennsylvania and the Southern part of Virginia. Sandy Stowe, Secretary, read the minutes of the October 26, 2002 meeting and Robert Stowe, Treasurer, gave the financial report. Ned Skinner, President, gave a brief report on the Miner's Safety Class that was held last November and talked about plans for having another one sometime this season. Taking this class is highly recommended for everyone--It was definitely worth the time. Let us know if you are interested. Next, it was brought up that some members have expressed a desire to have meetings all year instead of having a break during the winter months. This would necessitate finding a location to meet that has heat!! If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please let us know. Grace Battisto was unanimously approved to be our State Representative to GPAA. We are very fortunate to have her--she is extremely well qualified. Ben Warner, our Claims Committee Chairman, and Grace then gave a talk and questions were asked about their discussions with the VMRC. This is a very complicated issue and you need to be at the meetings to find out the full story of what is transpiring--it is affecting your right to prospect in Virginia. Right now if you dredge in ANY of Virginia's water, you are subject to a large fine and having your equipment confiscated. You can only pan and sluice. DO NOT DREDGE. STAY TUNED--WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. Also, because prospecting in Virginia is now being scrutinized so closely, we have been told there is no need to send in the National Dredging Permit Applications many of us filled in last fall--they will NOT be approved. A supply of "permission to prospect on private land" forms was passed out to those in attendance that wanted one. Tom Sablon then made an announcement of a new club starting at Goldvein, Virginia. We wish them success. The new supply of sweatshirts and t-shirts sold well and the nugget raffle was a big success. There were 2 nuggets, one Alaskan and one Australian. The meeting was then adjourned. NEXT MEETING WILL BE APRIL 19th at 10:00 AM. _________________________________________________ As you can see from the above, lots of things are going on that will have a big impact on our prospecting in Virginia. Finally, We received in writing the official notice that we have been re-admitted to the Gold Prospectors Association of America. HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT THE UPCOMING MEETING.