[meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. U.S.
From: Raremeteorites <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 12:29:57 -0800 Message-ID: <EBEEA6E8341E468E9EC3E1CDFEE5AE6D_at_HPDESKTOP> Don't shoot the messenger. I am opposed to this overregulation myself. I am not a lawyer so you will have to obtain specific information directly from the source. In this case, the U.S. Department of the Interior. I am just trying to prevent field collectors from running into trouble instead of sticking my head in sand and ignoring that these rules/regulations/laws exist. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mulgrew" <mikestang at gmail.com> To: "Raremeteorites" <raremeteorites at centurylink.net> Cc: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 12:11 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. U.S. > Then cite me title and section of the CFR that deals with meteorites. > > Michael in so. Cal. > > On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 12:11 PM, Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list > <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote: >> Federal rules and regulations are laws. >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mulgrew" >> <mikestang at gmail.com> >> To: "Raremeteorites" <raremeteorites at centurylink.net> >> Cc: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 12:04 PM >> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. U.S. >> >> >>> Not a law. Thank you. >>> >>> -Michael in so. Cal. >>> >>> On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 12:06 PM, Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list >>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> Exact wording from BLM website: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Those interested should contact the appropriate BLM office to learn >>>> details >>>> for their area of interest. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Can meteorites casually collected from public lands be bartered or >>>> sold? >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Casual collection of meteorites from public lands is only for an >>>> individual's personal use. Sale or barter is considered commercial use. >>>> A >>>> permit must be issued for commercial activities and fees will be >>>> collected, >>>> including a purchase price based on a unit price or the percentage of >>>> fair >>>> market value, and a reclamation fee, if required. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mulgrew" >>>> <mikestang at gmail.com> >>>> To: "Raremeteorites" <raremeteorites at centurylink.net> >>>> Cc: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 11:45 AM >>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. U.S. >>>> >>>> >>>>> Adam, >>>>> >>>>> Please cite me (and the rest of the list) the law by order and >>>>> section. "I saw it in a book" doesn't mean jack or shit to me. >>>>> >>>>> -Michael in so. Cal. >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 10:26 AM, Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list >>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> A federal law is on the books about meteorites found on public land >>>>>> are >>>>>> not >>>>>> to used for commercial purposes. A BLM agent working the Pahrump, >>>>>> Nevada >>>>>> area showed us this law in a book he pulled from his truck in the >>>>>> field >>>>>> after Guido Diero asked to see the laws governing meteorites. This >>>>>> is >>>>>> after >>>>>> the agent questioned our team members individually to try and catch >>>>>> us >>>>>> with >>>>>> leading questions like "how much are they worth?, how many have you >>>>>> sold?" >>>>>> and so on. Our team individually answered appropriately that they >>>>>> have >>>>>> no >>>>>> commercial value whatsoever since they cannot be sold and that the >>>>>> real >>>>>> value is scientific. >>>>>> >>>>>> Future generations may remember our generation as the one that >>>>>> screwed >>>>>> everything up by publicly placing a monetary value on meteorites and >>>>>> attracting the attention of unelected federal and state lawmakers. >>>>>> The >>>>>> Great Late Richard Norton warned this would happen decades ago. >>>>>> >>>>>> Adam >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Mulgrew" >>>>>> <mikestang at gmail.com> >>>>>> To: "Raremeteorites" <raremeteorites at centurylink.net> >>>>>> Cc: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 9:55 AM >>>>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. >>>>>> U.S. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Except that there are no laws concerning meteorites and the infamous >>>>>> "BLM order" expired Sep. 30, 2013. >>>>>> >>>>>> Like Larry wrote previously, the permit and the process was a joke - >>>>>> a >>>>>> series of hoops to be jumped through and when I got to the last hoop >>>>>> they kept moving it further away. I don't think they expected anyone >>>>>> to even make it as far as I did. >>>>>> >>>>>> We don't need to worry about the first American Lunar, it will 100% >>>>>> be >>>>>> found on private property. >>>>>> >>>>>> -Michael in so. Cal. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 10:38 AM, Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list >>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I agree with what you said about the laws not being enforced but >>>>>>> they >>>>>>> are >>>>>>> still on the books and most likely will never come off. I have not >>>>>>> been >>>>>>> hassled recently and the last time was in the same period as >>>>>>> Met-Men. >>>>>>> Apparently the BLM thought meteorites were lying around like Easter >>>>>>> eggs >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> people were becoming rich from them so they needed more laws to >>>>>>> protect >>>>>>> people from making any form of profit. There is also no statue of >>>>>>> limitations on federal laws so when somebody finds that North >>>>>>> American >>>>>>> Lunar, they can go back in time to bolster their case. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Atkins" >>>>>>> <thetoprok at aol.com> >>>>>>> To: <raremeteorites at centurylink.net>; >>>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 8:22 PM >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. >>>>>>> U.S. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Adam, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> What I said is true. Unenforced laws are meaningless. A warning or >>>>>>> whatever. really doesn't add up to anything of substance, and >>>>>>> without >>>>>>> actual >>>>>>> charges or at least a ticket, it's just words. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm guessing, only guessing, the incidents you mentioned happened >>>>>>> during, >>>>>>> or just after the peak of the" Met Men" series, when the BLM was on >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> mission to keep us from making all that 'easy money'. I'd bet those >>>>>>> same >>>>>>> officers watching eBay have tired of the activity and moved on to >>>>>>> bigger >>>>>>> fish long ago. Not much to get uptight about on eBay regarding >>>>>>> American >>>>>>> meteorites "poached" from state or federal land. It wouldn't take >>>>>>> long >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> them to figure out that monitoring eBay is a nonstarter, not enough >>>>>>> money to >>>>>>> merit the effort. The crater is the exception but that's a whole >>>>>>> other >>>>>>> topic. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I spend a lot of time in the field, thousands of hours, and I have >>>>>>> hard >>>>>>> core meteorite hunting buddies pounding the ground for thousands of >>>>>>> hours >>>>>>> per year without incident. Every single officer I've come into >>>>>>> contact >>>>>>> with >>>>>>> was aware of what I was doing and never once have I had an issue. >>>>>>> Some >>>>>>> day >>>>>>> if we ever get together we can share some stories. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> As far as artifacts and fossils go you are correct, but only to a >>>>>>> point. >>>>>>> You can surface collect in most areas as far as I know. I can pick >>>>>>> up >>>>>>> fossils all day long, no one cares until I find 'Sue'. The same will >>>>>>> hold >>>>>>> true for meteorites, no one is gonna care until I recover the first >>>>>>> North >>>>>>> American Lunar. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The heat has cooled off. Relax,, Smile and go find some rocks bro. >>>>>>> : ) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sincerely, >>>>>>> Larry Atkins >>>>>>> >>>>>>> IMCA # 1941 >>>>>>> Ebay alienrockfarm >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>> From: Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list >>>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> To: meteorite-list <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> Sent: Mon, Jan 18, 2016 7:02 pm >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. >>>>>>> U.S. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I wish what you said was true. Our entire group was hassled around >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Pahrump area in Nevada and twice in California. Eight of our team >>>>>>> members >>>>>>> were threatened (warned) and I know others on the List who have been >>>>>>> hassled >>>>>>> as well. Two agents based out Barstow went as far as saying they >>>>>>> know >>>>>>> what >>>>>>> is being sold on eBay. We were told that some public land is >>>>>>> designated >>>>>>> as >>>>>>> heritage or areas of areas of critical concern which are completely >>>>>>> off >>>>>>> limits while metal detectors cannot be used in other areas. I >>>>>>> cannot >>>>>>> find >>>>>>> any source which lists these areas so an agent can determine this in >>>>>>> field >>>>>>> so be careful. Just ask artifact and fossils hunters what happened >>>>>>> with >>>>>>> their once-fine avocation including the fellow who found "Sue" the >>>>>>> dinosaur. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Atkins" >>>>>>> <thetoprok at aol.com> >>>>>>> To: <raremeteorites at centurylink.net>; >>>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 4:38 PM >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. >>>>>>> U.S. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Adam, All, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This may be true but it is very rarely if ever enforced, rendering >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> laws >>>>>>> meaningless. BLM got all excited a couple years ago but it came to >>>>>>> nothing, >>>>>>> ask Michael Mulgrew how his application went. It's a joke. The >>>>>>> people >>>>>>> enforcing the laws of our wild lands have better things to do than >>>>>>> hassle >>>>>>> rock hounds. In my sixteen years of hunting and occasional selling >>>>>>> I've >>>>>>> never heard of, or experienced trouble. In fact, I've encountered >>>>>>> law >>>>>>> enforcement of all types while in the field, told them exactly what >>>>>>> I >>>>>>> was >>>>>>> doing, talked money and everything, and all they say is "Good luck! >>>>>>> Have >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> great day!" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sell your rocks if you want, business as usual. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sincerely, >>>>>>> Larry Atkins >>>>>>> >>>>>>> IMCA # 1941 >>>>>>> Ebay alienrockfarm >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>> From: Raremeteorites via Meteorite-list >>>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> To: meteorite-list <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> Sent: Mon, Jan 18, 2016 3:38 pm >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. >>>>>>> U.S. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I agree with everything you stated with the exception of response 2 >>>>>>> where >>>>>>> you state private citizens can profit from meteorite finds here in >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> United States. It is against federal and most state laws to use >>>>>>> meteorites >>>>>>> found on public land for commercial purposes meaning that the finder >>>>>>> is >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> allowed to sell anything they find. Private citizen are prohibited >>>>>>> from >>>>>>> making a profit without a permit which will never be issued. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 2) If private citizens were prohibited from profiting from the >>>>>>> recovery >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> meteorites, >>>>>>> would you expect a negative impact on the quantity of recovered >>>>>>> material >>>>>>> from a >>>>>>> new fall? I think this is undeniable, and therefore it certainly >>>>>>> follows >>>>>>> that the total >>>>>>> mass deposited with accredited institutions would suffer. And it's >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> just >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> quantity, it's the quality. A meteorite recovered within 24 hours of >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> fall >>>>>>> is obviously >>>>>>> more scientifically valuable than one recovered a month later, when >>>>>>> terrestrial >>>>>>> weathering has altered some rare minerals, and short-lived >>>>>>> radioisotopes >>>>>>> have >>>>>>> decayed below the threshold of detectability. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matson, Rob D. via >>>>>>> Meteorite-list" >>>>>>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> >>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 12:12 PM >>>>>>> Subject: [meteorite-list] Case study: Lake Eyre meteorite vs. U.S. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Ian, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Since you brought up the Creston fall, presumably as a comparison >>>>>>> example >>>>>>> against >>>>>>> current Australian state policies, I feel some counter-commentary is >>>>>>> appropriate. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Creston is a example of where things went a bit pair shaped in my >>>>>>>> mind >>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>> science. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> In my opinion, Creston was really no stranger than Sutter's Mill, >>>>>>> Novato, >>>>>>> Battle Mountain, >>>>>>> Mifflin or Ash Creek. Science has been well served by all of these >>>>>>> falls. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> USA had a private network of cameras setup that captured the >>>>>>>> fireball, >>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>> private individual >>>>>>>> and some others extracted that meteorite, the first piece(s) was >>>>>>>> then >>>>>>>> on >>>>>>>> sold. Finally it >>>>>>>> was sold for a ridiculous price. Not illegal or immoral......just >>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>> ideal >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I think what you are getting at is that only a small fraction of >>>>>>> each >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> these falls made >>>>>>> it into the hands of researchers. There are a couple points to >>>>>>> consider: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> (1) How much material do researchers really need to extract the >>>>>>> majority >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> pertinent >>>>>>> scientific data from a fall? Sure, if you had infinite time you'd >>>>>>> love >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> have all of it since >>>>>>> the individual meteorites from a fall are not necessarily >>>>>>> homogenous. >>>>>>> (Case >>>>>>> in point: >>>>>>> Almahata Sitta). But balanced against this is the question of how >>>>>>> much >>>>>>> more >>>>>>> you're >>>>>>> going to learn by analyzing all of the stones from an L6 fall. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> (2) If private citizens were prohibited from profiting from the >>>>>>> recovery >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> meteorites, >>>>>>> would you expect a negative impact on the quantity of recovered >>>>>>> material >>>>>>> from a >>>>>>> new fall? I think this is undeniable, and therefore it certainly >>>>>>> follows >>>>>>> that the total >>>>>>> mass deposited with accredited institutions would suffer. And it's >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> just >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> quantity, it's the quality. A meteorite recovered within 24 hours of >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> fall >>>>>>> is obviously >>>>>>> more scientifically valuable than one recovered a month later, when >>>>>>> terrestrial >>>>>>> weathering has altered some rare minerals, and short-lived >>>>>>> radioisotopes >>>>>>> have >>>>>>> decayed below the threshold of detectability. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> (3) Successful meteorite recovery requires a significant skill set >>>>>>> AND >>>>>>> considerable >>>>>>> expenditures of time and money. In the U.S., I expect that more than >>>>>>> 95% >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> annual resources made available through government grants to recover >>>>>>> meteorites >>>>>>> goes to ANSMET. I've spent thousands of unpaid hours on the analysis >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> nearly >>>>>>> all U.S. falls that have occurred in the last 15 years, as well as a >>>>>>> number >>>>>>> of falls >>>>>>> outside America, and have devoted a not insignificant amount of time >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> money >>>>>>> traveling to many of these places to recover meteorites. On each of >>>>>>> these >>>>>>> expeditions I tend to encounter the same couple dozen of dedicated >>>>>>> individuals -- >>>>>>> names that would all be familiar to anyone on the Meteorite List. On >>>>>>> occasion I have >>>>>>> seen other scientists "in the field," but I suspect in most cases it >>>>>>> was >>>>>>> on >>>>>>> their >>>>>>> own dime and not in an official paid capacity. Meteoriticists are >>>>>>> paid >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> analyze >>>>>>> meteorites, not run around the country recovering them. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Now in Australia, we do have an likely issue of finds being hidden >>>>>>>> ( >>>>>>>> old >>>>>>>> falls and >>>>>>>> cold finds) due to our state laws. However this material will just >>>>>>>> add >>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>> the 50,000 >>>>>>>> stones we need to know more about. Where these laws are a benefit >>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>> when >>>>>>>> our DFN etc detects a fall, scientists (not private hunters looking >>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>> profit or cost >>>>>>>> recovery) will go out grab the stone and bring it back! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Perhaps in Australia this happens. I have not seen evidence that >>>>>>> this >>>>>>> is >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> case >>>>>>> in the U.S. Researchers have access to the same information that I >>>>>>> do: >>>>>>> Doppler >>>>>>> radar, seismic networks, all-sky cameras, internet posts, the AMS >>>>>>> website >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> a dozen other resources. Nothing other than time and funding is >>>>>>> stopping >>>>>>> them >>>>>>> from competing with private citizens. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> We will know where it came from, where it landed, who found it, >>>>>>>> what >>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> where it will stay exactly. With much more than just a >>>>>>>> classification >>>>>>>> but, >>>>>>>> rare orbit >>>>>>>> data - which is contributing greatly to mapping our solar system >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> more! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Well, we got all of that on both Sutter's Mill and Creston, in spite >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> problems >>>>>>> of private land ownership and considerably harder searching >>>>>>> conditions >>>>>>> than >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> almost ideal surfaces of the Australian outback. So both systems can >>>>>>> work. >>>>>>> I >>>>>>> just >>>>>>> think the current U.S. laws favor a higher success rate than in >>>>>>> Australia >>>>>>> because >>>>>>> they (at least currently) provide enough incentive to boost the >>>>>>> people-hours >>>>>>> that get devoted to each fall. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Best wishes, >>>>>>> Rob >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>>>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>>>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>>>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>>>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>>>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>>>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>>>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>>>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>>>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________________________ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>>>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>>>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>>>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ______________________________________________ >>>>>> >>>>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral and >>>>>> the >>>>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________ >>>> >>>> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral and >>>> the >>>> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >>>> Meteorite-list mailing list >>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >>>> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list >>> >>> >> >> >> ______________________________________________ >> >> Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/meteoritecentral and the >> Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com >> Meteorite-list mailing list >> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com >> https://pairlist3.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > Received on Wed 20 Jan 2016 03:29:57 PM PST |
StumbleUpon del.icio.us Yahoo MyWeb |