I can't not say something on this.
It is ABSOLUTELY about rights *and* the law. I do *NOT* praise the BLM.
I do however support them for their protection of *our* land. In that
they do a good job, and I'm thankful for the agencies effort on that
part. Aside from the infringement of the rights of the people to hunt,
recover, keep and collect meteorites on federal land course. And I agree
that YES the community should work with federal agencies to promote
"SENSIBLE" regulation as long as that regulation doesn't infringe on the
rights of the citizen to recover and collect meteorites legally on
federal land. Just as people should follow the regulations of the land,
those who regulate should not misinterpret a law for their own gain
either. It goes both ways.
Their use of the 1906 Antiquities Act is a misinterpretation of a law
that was NOT designed to protect meteorites. It was singed into law by
President Theodore Roosevelt to protect archeological sites and
artifacts from looters.
This law has, and is still now being used to seize meteorites found
legally on federal land by the people. That is an unarguable fact.
Artifacts are made by humans. Period.
Meteorites are NOT artifacts
Unless formed into an artifact by a HUMAN A meteorite is just a ROCK
(albeit an "interesting" one)
Certain Fossils are protected by specific Fossil laws
Certain Artifacts are protected by specific Artifact laws
Rocks are NOT fossils.
Fossils are rocks and there's an OBVIOUS distinction between the two.
Meteorites are rocks NOT Fossils.
Rocks are Minerals
Meteorites are Minerals
There are laws in place which govern minerals
There are no laws which govern meteorites directly. Only a
misinterpreted law used to aquire and seize scientifically important and
interesting "objects". Almost anything can be considered an object, and
anyone can claim something is "interesting" scientifically. This law is
VAGUE and hugely broad in scope with regard to meteorites. In fact it
does not mention meteorites at all. Which is why this bogus
interpretation infringes on the rights of the US citizen to hunt and
recover meteorites on federal land.
Agencies, scientists, hunters, private researchers, institutions and
collectors all, CAN work together to come to a reasonable and sensible
cooperative arrangement.
Share! Everyone can have their fair share... Science doesn't need it
all, the government doesn't need it all, and the hunter doesn't need it
all.
It's like kids on a playground fighting over the ball. The biggest bully
kids usually gets it and the teacher never sees...
I'm not exactly one for more laws or regulation, frankly I think there's
too much and it complicates things. The solution is very simple.
Stop all the CRAP and SHARE!
Regards,
Eric
On 11/4/2010 6:18 PM, Adam Hupe wrote:
I agree that other things can be formed or made from rock material. These are
more than adequately covered under current law. I also agree that it would be
wise to work with (educate) BLM field agents in order for them to tell the
difference between "raw" rocks from fossils and artifacts. There is no
distinction written in the current laws that differentiates between
extraterrestrial or terrestrial rocks so these should be of no concern to field
agents unless more than 250 lbs is collected. No more legislation is necessary.
It is also equally clear that if an artifact is made from a meteorite (a type of
rock), it should be left on the ground. Now if vertebrate fossils were found in
a meteorite, then maybe new laws should be written.
Best Regards,
Adam
----- Original Message ----
From: Jeff Grossman<[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, November 4, 2010 6:03:26 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Secret BLM maps
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<[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
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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