[meteorite-list] Fw: 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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