Vertebrate fossils are also rocks. So are petroglyphs and many other
cultural artifacts. Do you protest regulations prohibiting their
collection? I understand your frustration, but you have to keep things
in perspective. This is not a question of rights. It is a question of
regulation. I praise BLM officials for recognizing that meteorites are
distinct from ordinary rocks in the same way that these other materials
are. The community should have the goal of working with federal
agencies to promote sensible regulations.
Jeff
On 2010-11-04 7:35 PM, Adam Hupe wrote:
And being that it is federal public land, we have the right to remove 250 lbs of
rocks a year without a permit. Anything that hinders this right goes against the
laws our legislators set forth. Requiring a permit in Washinton and Oregon is a
clear design on our liberty.
***********************************************************************************
Collecting Limits
Collecting rocks for landscaping and other personal uses is allowed without a
permit, as long as the use is non commercial and no mechanized equipment is
used (other than a car or pickup truck). A permit is not needed if you limit
your collecting 25 pounds plus one piece per day, not to exceed 250 pounds in
one calendar year, and no specimen greater than 250 pounds may be collected
without a special permit. The material must be for personal use only and shall
not be sold or bartered to commercial dealers. Taking rock from stockpiles is
not allowed.
**********************************************************************************
Link to BLM Site:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/rocks.html
Happy hunting while you still can,
Adam
----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Grossman<jgross...@usgs.gov>
To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com
Sent: Thu, November 4, 2010 4:24:11 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Secret BLM maps
Although I agree that an outright ban on meteorite collecting is not the
best policy, I fail to see what rights you think are being violated.
Are you saying that people have a constitutional right to do anything
and everything they want on federal lands without regulation? I don't
think this is a civil rights issue; it is a public land-use policy issue.
Jeff
On 2010-11-04 7:05 PM, Adam Hupe wrote:
I agree that these heritage sites should be protected. My only concern is how
BLM field agents convey information. They are public servants and should tell
the truth. If they do not know the laws, then they should simply state this
instead of making things up. I get a different message from every one I have
talked to in regards to meteorite hunting. Washington and Oregon are now
definitely off limits and there are no permits for meteorite hunting
available.
This is a simple way to violet somebodies rights; Tell them they need a permit
and then don't issue any.
This is a sore subject for me since I can no longer search on public lands in
my
ex-state of Washington Thus never achieving a goal I set. Meteorites are now
considered treasure and will be protected as such in some areas.
Best Regards,
Adam
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--
Dr. Jeffrey N. Grossman phone: (703) 648-6184
US Geological Survey fax: (703) 648-6383
954 National Center
Reston, VA 20192, USA
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