[meteorite-list] Arizona fall

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 17:50:28 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <393153.39537.qm_at_web30706.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Dear Jeff,

I beg to differ with your opinion.

I talked with several BLM officers and received conflicting assessments. This is where I agree with you.

Where I disagree is that the officers entrusted with enforcing the law all stated that meteorites could be removed for non-commercial purposes. I was told several times that there are no laws on the books that address meteorites directly so mineral laws apply. I was told that metal detectors and other locating equipment could not be used in areas that also contained artifacts. In these areas, they would have to be searched for with the naked eye. It sounds that they have considered this issue at length and anybody is free to purse meteorites on federal land. There are some areas that are well protected such as Ivanpah that do require a use permit. My advice is not to take my word for it, check for yourself to avoid any problems.

Best Regards,

Adam




 
--- On Sun, 7/5/09, Jeff Grossman <jgrossman at usgs.gov> wrote:

> From: Jeff Grossman <jgrossman at usgs.gov>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Arizona fall
> To: "Meteorite-list" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Date: Sunday, July 5, 2009, 5:36 PM
> I am skeptical that this covers
> meteorites, even if a BLM employee
> thinks it does.? Very skeptical.
>
> jeff
>
> Adam Hupe wrote:
> > Dear List,
> >
> > A question came up about who owns meteorites found on
> federal land.
> >
> > Below is a link that can be cut and pasted into a
> browser that discusses removal of minerals from federal
> land.? I was told by a BLM officer that 150 pounds can
> be removed a year for non-commercial/hobby purposes.?
> The BLM will issue free non-commercial use permits if
> requested. I found that they will even mail them to you
> free.? If you are caught removing minerals without one,
> the fines can be as great as $100,000.00 or a year in jail.
> >
> > If a meteorite weighs more than 150 pounds, it will
> have to be cut in the field and the rest recovered during
> subsequent years or the Smithsonian may claim it. The BLM
> can and will come after you if profits from any object
> including meteorites are taken from the sale of minerals
> from federal land. I was told that eBay is monitored all of
> time and notes taken.? I made some poor agent spend
> more than an hour on the phone explaining what is and isn't
> acceptable to them to avoid future problems.
> >
> > The good news is that you can keep the meteorites!
> >
> > I think Jack,s approach of keeping the press out of
> this fall is well thought out. The first thing the press
> will do is mention there is monetary value in meteorites and
> then "Gold Fever" will set in. I have seen people do strange
> things and come up with poorly thought out plans when "Gold
> Fever" takes hold. People with this affliction are usually
> the ones that relentlessly chase the press instead of
> looking for meteorites themselves. They will stab fellow
> hunters in the back and forget all about long-forged
> friendships. They are best avoided all-together.
> >
> > Here is a link that will explain mineral laws in
> simple English:
> >
> > http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/wo/MINERALS__REALTY__AND_RESOURCE_PROTECTION_/non-energy_minerals.Par.48557.File.dat/sand.pdf
> >
> >
> > By the way, Congratulations Jack, excellent job all
> around!
> >
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > Adam
> >
> > ______________________________________________
> > http://www.meteoritecentral.com
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> > Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
> >
> >???
>
>
> --
> 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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Received on Sun 05 Jul 2009 08:50:28 PM PDT