[meteorite-list] Secret BLM maps

[Adam Hupe]

I agree that other things can be formed or made from rock material.  These are 
more than adequately covered under current law.  I also agree that it would be 
wise to work with (educate) BLM field agents in order for them to tell the 
difference between "raw" rocks from fossils and artifacts.  There is no 
distinction written in the current laws that differentiates between 
extraterrestrial or terrestrial rocks so these should be of no concern to field 
agents unless more than 250 lbs is collected. No more legislation is necessary.  
It is also equally clear that if an artifact is made from a meteorite (a type of 
rock), it should be left on the ground.  Now if vertebrate fossils were found in 
a meteorite, then maybe new laws should be written.

Best Regards,

Adam





----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Grossman <jgrossman at usgs.gov>
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Sent: Thu, November 4, 2010 6:03:26 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Secret BLM maps

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<jgrossman at usgs.gov>
> To: meteorite-list at 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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