[meteorite-list] Secret BLM maps

From: Jeff Grossman <jgrossman_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:03:26 -0400
Message-ID: <4CD357DE.80001_at_usgs.gov>

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

Received on Thu 04 Nov 2010 09:03:26 PM PDT