SEATTLE - For the first time in a decade, panning for gold in Washington State is considered legal.
New rules went into effect Friday, allowing gold prospectors to pan for gold in local rivers, creeks and streams.
Most people were breaking the law, without even knowing it.
"You couldn't come down here yesterday with a pie tin and have a kid ten years old in the water, he's committing, at that point in time, a gross misdemeanor," said R.C., who owns Northwest Treasury Supply and went panning for gold today with friends to celebrate.
R.C. was among a group of prospectors who has been working for the past year to change the regulations to allow prospectors a way to enjoy their hobby, while still protecting fish.
"Now with the new rules, I can bring my family up here on the weekends and we can have a little outing and do a little prospecting," said Greg Christensen.
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