[meteorite-list] Arizona fall

From: Ed Deckert <edeckert_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 20:49:56 -0400
Message-ID: <013a01c9fdd3$b0c691a0$6401a8c0_at_EdDeckertMain>

I wondered about that too. But if a meteorite lands in my back yard, or
yours, the land owner (me, or you) owns the meteorite. So by that logic,
with BLM land belonging to the US government, would not the meteorite
technically belong to the government?

I'm not a lawyer or any other kind of expert in property matters, but that
would seem to cover it very well. I would think that if one abides by the
150 lb per year collecting rule that Adam refers to that collecting this
fall would be OK. As far as selling the those specimens is concerned,
that's another story.

Ed

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Grossman" <jgrossman at usgs.gov>
To: "Meteorite-list" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Arizona fall


>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
>>
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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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Received on Sun 05 Jul 2009 08:49:56 PM PDT