Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho County commissioners have sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management asking for guidance concerning a protest planned by suction dredgers upset with federal regulations. "The parties involved wish to respectfully exercise their right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances," the letter reads. "They have informed us they will be respectful and orderly in this event and are seeking guidance from the BLM for a successful event."

Robin Boyce, acting manager for the Cottonwood Field Office, said the BLM is working on a response to the event planned on the Salmon River in central Idaho near Riggins around the Fourth of July, the Lewiston Tribune (http://bit.ly/QCPIVP) reported Tuesday. "We are still trying to figure out how this would work and when and if it is possible on BLM property," Boyce said. John Crossman of the Southwest Idaho Mining Association of Boise said the dredgers plan to run their equipment in the Salmon River. He said the goal of the protest is to remove the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from the state.