Jeff, This area is overwhelmingly state land. It is fenced entirely and at every gate it is clearly posted No Trespassing and entry requires a permit. Very serious and scary signs. And lots of Border patrol in area. I would say that a border patrol passes every two minutes on all of the roads in southern AZ. If nothing else these signs keep law abiding citizens like me out. Is there a way around this? Carl -- Carl or Debbie Esparza IMCA 5829 Meteoritemax
---- Jeff Grossman <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 > > Meteorite-list mailing list > > [email protected] > > 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 > > > ______________________________________________ > http://www.meteoritecentral.com > Meteorite-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list ______________________________________________ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list [email protected] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
