Hello Leslie,
I appreciated reading the article you posted.
We often run into the very same conflict out here in the western U.S. The archaeologists generally
dislike us and the BLM, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, have published a lengthy document of
regulations limiting the type of artifacts which may be removed from BLM lands along with a $
value limit, of those items which can be removed. This significantly reduces any motivation to detect
BLM lands. Along with these regulations, consequences are stated for violation of the regulations.
It's just not worth detecting BLM lands. I spoke with two different BLM officials a few years ago and
neither came up with the same $ amount.
I detect private property only after I have a signed contract with the property owner listing exactly
what the split will be by category and percentage. It's much more serious than the one posted by
D.C. in Idaho, although it's much less entertaining.
Several years ago a detectorist from a state other than my own, got out of his car at a local park
with a shovel and his detector. He dug three holes turning over solid pieces of sod and dirt,
without replacing them. After he dug the third hole, I told him that he was to replace the dirt and
sod or leave. He had some unpleasant words for me and left without replacing what he'd dug.
I was able to repair the damage.
It's our responsibility to encourage ethical and courteous detecting. If we don't, we'll eventually be charged
fees to detect or be banned from detecting altogether on public lands, especially parks. There are already
three cities in my state which have laws on the books banning detecting on all public property.
Thank you again for your post.
Respectfully,
The Nutty Teacher
