A bill to ban recreational gold mining that uses suction dredging is headed to the governor for approval after passing both houses of the state Legislature.

State Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, voted against the measure.

“This bill will cause severe economic damage to the rural communities and small business people who depend on this industry as a source of income,” Aanestad said.

Each year, recreational gold miners spend $60 million in rural communities on fuel, food, camping, diving equipment, hardware, and lodging purchases, Aanestad said.

The Senate and Assembly passed SB 670 last week.

If Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs it, the bill would place a moratorium on suction dredging until a study determines whether the practice releases harmful heavy metals such as mercury from river and stream sediment, posing health risks to fish and humans.

Supporters of the bill include a number of Native American tribes such as the Karuk, located on the Klamath River in Northern California, The Sierra Fund, a local conservation group, and Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.

“We look forward to Gov. Schwarzenegger signing this bill into law soon. Our fisheries need immediate relief, and SB 670 is a big step in the right direction,” said Robert Goodwin, Karuk Self Governance Coordinator.