SoOregonMd
Elite Member
Came across this tonight on one of My Facebook Prospecting Groups
https://www.facebook.com/download/1140234836150588/stelprd3840675.pdf?hash=AcpHWIJ4GNSioYKX
this is the text of it
The Use of Metal Detectors on National Forest Land
The use of metal detectors has become a popular hobby for many people. Here is direction
on how or when metal detectors can be used on the Fishlake NF.
Metal detector use is allowed in developed campgrounds and picnic areas if they are not
specifically closed to such activity. It is permissible to collect coins, but prospecting for gold
would be subject to mining laws. However, you should know that agencies have not
identified every archaeological site on public lands, so it is possible you may run into such
remains that have not yet been discovered. Archaeological remains on federal land, known
or unknown, are protected under law. If you were to discover such remains, you should
leave them undisburbed, stop metal detecting in that area, and notify the local FS office.
The legal citations are listed below for your information.
The Forest Service has conducted numerous projects in conjunction with metal detectorists
and metal detecting clubs through our volunteer archaeological program, Passport In Time
(PIT). The cooperation has been fun for both the detectorists and the agency's
archaeologists. Locating archaeological sites becomes a joint endeavor and we learn a lot!
You can receive the PIT Traveler, our free newsletter advertising the PIT projects each
year, by calling 1-800-281-9176. Look for the ones where we request metal detecting
expertise! On the Fishlake, Archeologist Bob Leonard hosted a project that detected Old
Spanish Trail artifacts from a battle site near Fish Lake.
Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR 261.9: "The following are prohibited: (g) digging in,
excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric, historic,
or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, or property. (h) Removing any
prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, property." (Historic
means older than 50 years.)
USDA Forest Service Manual Direction (draft): "Metal Detector Use. Metal detectors may
be used on public lands in areas that do not contain or would not reasonably be expected to
contain archaeological or historical resources. They must be used, however, for lawful
purposes. Any act with a metal detector that violates the proscriptions of the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act (ARPA) or any other law is prosecutable.Normally, developed
campgrounds, swimming beaches, and other developed recreation sites are open to metal
detecting unless there are heritage resources present. In such cases, Forest Supervisors
are authorized to close these sites by posting notices in such sites."
ARPA, 16 U.S.C. 470cc: "No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or
deface or attempt to excavate, remove, damage or otherwise alter or deface any
archaeological resources located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is
pursuant to a permit. . ."
For more information, contact Rob Hamilton, Fishlake National Forest, Supervisor's
Office, 115 East 900 North, Richfield, UT 84701, 435-896-1022 or email
[email protected].
https://www.facebook.com/download/1140234836150588/stelprd3840675.pdf?hash=AcpHWIJ4GNSioYKX
this is the text of it
The Use of Metal Detectors on National Forest Land
The use of metal detectors has become a popular hobby for many people. Here is direction
on how or when metal detectors can be used on the Fishlake NF.
Metal detector use is allowed in developed campgrounds and picnic areas if they are not
specifically closed to such activity. It is permissible to collect coins, but prospecting for gold
would be subject to mining laws. However, you should know that agencies have not
identified every archaeological site on public lands, so it is possible you may run into such
remains that have not yet been discovered. Archaeological remains on federal land, known
or unknown, are protected under law. If you were to discover such remains, you should
leave them undisburbed, stop metal detecting in that area, and notify the local FS office.
The legal citations are listed below for your information.
The Forest Service has conducted numerous projects in conjunction with metal detectorists
and metal detecting clubs through our volunteer archaeological program, Passport In Time
(PIT). The cooperation has been fun for both the detectorists and the agency's
archaeologists. Locating archaeological sites becomes a joint endeavor and we learn a lot!
You can receive the PIT Traveler, our free newsletter advertising the PIT projects each
year, by calling 1-800-281-9176. Look for the ones where we request metal detecting
expertise! On the Fishlake, Archeologist Bob Leonard hosted a project that detected Old
Spanish Trail artifacts from a battle site near Fish Lake.
Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR 261.9: "The following are prohibited: (g) digging in,
excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric, historic,
or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, or property. (h) Removing any
prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resources, structure, site, artifact, property." (Historic
means older than 50 years.)
USDA Forest Service Manual Direction (draft): "Metal Detector Use. Metal detectors may
be used on public lands in areas that do not contain or would not reasonably be expected to
contain archaeological or historical resources. They must be used, however, for lawful
purposes. Any act with a metal detector that violates the proscriptions of the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act (ARPA) or any other law is prosecutable.Normally, developed
campgrounds, swimming beaches, and other developed recreation sites are open to metal
detecting unless there are heritage resources present. In such cases, Forest Supervisors
are authorized to close these sites by posting notices in such sites."
ARPA, 16 U.S.C. 470cc: "No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or
deface or attempt to excavate, remove, damage or otherwise alter or deface any
archaeological resources located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is
pursuant to a permit. . ."
For more information, contact Rob Hamilton, Fishlake National Forest, Supervisor's
Office, 115 East 900 North, Richfield, UT 84701, 435-896-1022 or email
[email protected].