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Geology

Minerals & Geology

The following information pertains to mineral prospecting, exploration, mining, and processing on Boise National Forest managed lands. Questions about the Boise National Forest Minerals & Geology Program should be directed to the Minerals Program Manager at the Boise National Forest Supervisor's Office.

Forest Service Mining Policy

The U.S. Forest Service is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that environmental impacts that may result from operations conducted on National Forest System lands pursuant to the U.S. mining laws as amended are minimized.

Submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) or Plan of Operations (Plan) is the procedure by which an operator may assert authorization to use the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with operations authorized by the U.S. mining laws in ways that might otherwise be generally prohibited.

Forms and Examples

Staking and Recording Mining Claims on Federal Public Lands 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the federal agency responsible for managing the Federal mineral estate, regardless of surface management. Please contact the BLM Idaho State Office at 208-373-4000 if you have questions about recording a mining claim in Idaho.

Rock Collecting

So long as it does not result in significant surface disturbance or violate general prohibitions, collecting rocks and mineral specimens from National Forest System lands for personal, noncommercial use is not regulated under the U.S. mining laws.

Placer Operations 

The U.S. Forest Service manages the surface estate of National Forest System lands and is charged with ensuring that adverse impacts to surface resources, such as endangered species, water quality, fisheries, archaeologic and historic sites, Tribal treaty rights, etc., from prospecting and mining activities are avoided and/or minimized to the extent practicable. 

In some areas of the Boise National Forest, prospecting for placer gold using hand tools and non-motorized equipment may not require an approved Plan of Operations or reclamation bond. If an operation requires use of motorized equipment, such as pumps or suction dredges, alters stream channels, such as in-stream sluicing, requires removal of vegetation, or otherwise has the potential to cause significant disturbance, an operator must contact the closest Forest Service district office to file a Notice of Intent to prospect or mine. (NOTE: Some areas will require a Plan of Operations). Upon receipt of a Notice of Intent, the authorized officer will determine if a Plan of Operations is required. Forest Service regulations pertaining to locatable minerals can be viewed on the Code of Federal Regulations website. 

The State of Idaho permits motorized placer mining in some areas of the state; however, many streams on the Boise National Forest are closed to the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) Small Scale Mining Permit. In addition to submitting an NOI or Plan for placer operations on the Boise National Forest, operators should be aware of the following:

  • Idaho Department of Lands Mining Page
  • The Idaho Stream Channel Protection Act requires that the stream channels of the state and their environment be protected against alteration for the protection of fish and wildlife habitat, aquatic life, recreation, aesthetic beauty, and water quality. This means IDWR must approve in advance any work being done within the beds and banks of a continuously flowing stream.
  • More information from IDWR, including links to applications for Small Scale Mining Permit, Temporary Water Rights, and Stream Alteration Permit

Last updated April 24th, 2025

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