[meteorite-list] Battle of the Smithsonian

[MEM]

Yeah Right....  Actually they don't belong to the National Museum  they are the 
"custodians".  BUT they are rather arrogant since the change over in 
administration and not motivated to establish a program.  IN fact thye seem to 
hate the red tape potentials as much as any other bureaucratic organization

I found a rather interestingly shaped meteorite on Government property and tried 
for over 15 years to get it recovered.  The Smithsonian told me they would not 
sponsor nor assist however as soon as I had recovered at my own expense, it I 
would have to send it to them at my own expense.  The Department of Defense does 
not believe the Smithsonian has jurisdiction to material recovered on DOD 
lands.  Nor do they have a operational plan for when meteorites fall on their 
property.  Remember the fireballs over Ft Carson in Colorado and Dugway Proving 
grounds?

I tried to get The Univ of Arizona interested in sponsoring as I had no legal 
standing and I was essentially told I was "mistaken on my identity" and they 
referred me to the Smithsonian.  


So then I thought I'd have to just prove them wrong and started action with the 
Department of Defense Installation where the stone was sitting.  I had to travel 
at my own expense to show range personnel the stone but we could not recover it 
until they funded and completed an environmental impact statement which was no 
guarantee it would not be pilfered or that they would even recover the stone.

If the stone ever shows up I will recognize it as it is delta shaped and 
oriented.

Elton

 PS:  NASA Office of Meteors will not discuss it nor return emails or phone 
calls--I must assume that they would see coordinating such a public effort as 
yet another unfunded mandate.



----- Original Message ----
> From: Steve Dunklee <steve.dunklee at yahoo.com>
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Fri, November 5, 2010 12:11:38 PM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Battle of the Smithsonian
> 
> Since meteorites that fall on federal land has been designated as being the  
>property of the Smithsonian Institute by congress I see no reason why the  
>Smithsonian could not issue permits for the collection of rocks fossils minerals  
>and meteorites on public lands including BLM land. This would bypass and 
>supercede the BLM. And the Smithsonian would get in return 20 grams or 10% of  
>material found. With a scientific collection permit from the Smithsonian. Any 
>BLM officer could be arrested by the FBI for interference of a government  
>operation. Have fun! Steve Dunklee
> 
> 
>       
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