The MLRC questionnaire
MLRC is asking individuals, organizations, and interested businesses to begin a national program of asking questions of federal public land management agencies in their areas. Of most importance, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) & The United States Forest Service (USFS). Below is the first series of questions MLRC recommends be used. When the inquirers receive answers we ask they be forwarded to MLRC. Another series of questions based on the answers received will be suggested. If there is cooperation by all parties we will soon have a national scenario which then can be used to approach law makers with proposed changes.
For this program to work all those interested in collecting must be involved, a few won't work. Local BLM districts & USFS National Forests (NF) must be contacted in each area preferably by more than one club or individual. Failure by interested parties to do so will leave big holes in the plan and will not give us what we need to proceed to Washington D.C. and the detecting community will be back to square one. Some agency districts may try to sidestep questions by offering to speak at your club meeting. Speaking is fine but make it clear you still want written answers to your questions. The following questions have been geared to the USFS and are part of questions submitted by the Nevada Silver State Club to the Tahoe NF at the suggestion of MLRC. For BLM use simply drop reference to NFs. Please keep your inquires polite and professional.
The Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) sets two criteria which must be met by NFs in considering whether a site or artifact is significant for protection: (a) The site or artifact must be at least 100 years of age, and, (b) Must be of archaeological interest. Within the parameters of the scientific definition what do your NF archaeologists/historians utilize to determine what is of archaeological interest?
Does your NF adhere to a policy that every cabin, sawmill, commercial, town or encampment, mining area, or other scenes of human activity of the region are to be considered as significant archaeological/historical sites worthy of protection?
If there is a clear established public or private record of a site that is accessible through recorders offices etc. does your NF still require a 'dig" be performed at the site?
Are all objects found retrieved, recorded, and stored or put on public display, if not, what happens to them and will the public have access to view them?
Will all sites discovered by your scientists in the fields be registered and then opened for public view?
Since 1990 how many sites within your NF have been accepted by the National Historical Register? How many have been rejected?
Are "scatters" such as broken glass, tin cans, old pipe, horseshoes, and other common manufacture items considered by your NF to be off limits to public collecting?
How many archaeologists/historians does your NF employ? How many annual volunteers in the fields? What is your NFs annual budget allocations for these activities?
If a detectorist inquires at any of your district offices where detecting can legally take place Will that person be given information as to where these areas are and what areas the detectorist should stay out of?
Is prospecting for gold both for commercial and recreational purposes permitted in your NF and can a gold detector be utilized while so doing?