[meteorite-list] Oregon / Washington Meteorite hunting regulations on BLM Land

From: Jeff Grossman <jgrossman_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 2010 07:33:56 -0500
Message-ID: <4CD93FB4.6030809_at_usgs.gov>

  The scientific community is not more interested in irons than stony
meteorites, although some very interesting research is being done on
irons. However, large meteorites make wonderful exhibits and catch
attention of the press. Almost all large meteorites are irons (or
pallasites), such as Old Woman, which was at the "core" of the biggest
ownership controversy involving meteorites found on federal lands.

Jeff

On 11/8/2010 7:46 PM, Thunder Stone wrote:
> List:
>
> It sounds simple to me:
>
> If they really really want it, they will take it. If not, then it's the finders, so have fun out there.
>
> This brings up something that I've always wondered about.
>
> Why is the scientific community so much more interested in Irons over stony meteorites? Does the Iron provide more scientific information?
>
> I suspect if you found an Iron on BLM land, they would want it.
>
> Greg S.
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------
>> Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:48:26 -0500
>> From: meteoritemike at gmail.com
>> To: wahlperry at aol.com
>> CC: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Oregon / Washington Meteorite hunting regulations on BLM Land
>>
>> Hi Sonny and List,
>>
>> My take on this is -
>>
>> I think the government is covering it's behind, just in case a
>> significant find is made. But I think there is little desire or
>> ability to enforce this on every meteorite found by every prospector.
>>
>> Zealous or "difficult" local BLM officials may use this as an excuse
>> to hassle people. However, most rank and file enforcement personnel
>> have more important things to worry about. So it will probably remain
>> business as usual for the majority of prospectors in the majority of
>> situations. But, if you find something very significant, the legal
>> groundwork is in place for the federal government to assert it's
>> authority and ownership.
>>
>> Best regards and happy huntings,
>>
>> MikeG
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone& Ironworks Meteorites
>>
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>>
>>
>> On 11/8/10, wahlperry at aol.com wrote:
>>> Hi list,
>>>
>>> Sorry for the possible double post. Here is their reply from the BLM in
>>> Oregon regarding meteorite hunting.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Sonny
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Sonny: It is the Washington Office Policy that meteorites belong to
>>> the
>>>> Federal government, the policy statement on the BLM Oregon/Washington
>>>> website is taken from the Washington Office, this is partly based on
>>> Old
>>>> Woman Meteorite case (under the Antiquities Act) you mentioned and I
>>> have
>>>> attached. In practise, there is no official guidance for us on how to
>>>> manage meteorites nor has this been put into the Code of Federal
>>>> Regulations and I'm not aware of any enforcement action being taken
>>> against
>>>> collectors on public lands. I'm wondering if this policy was written
>>> more
>>>> for a significant meteorite find such as the Old Woman case, and would
>>> give
>>>> Federal government ability to assert ownership if it decided to, if the
>>>> meteorite had considerable scientific value? Sorry, this isn't very
>>> clear
>>>> cut. Steve
>>>
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Received on Tue 09 Nov 2010 07:33:56 AM PST