law question: metal detecting on beach

[ScooterSissy]

Yep, thought I remembered that:

http://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/things2know.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metal Detectors

Possession or use of metal detectors is prohibited in the park, in order to preserve cutural resources that are protected by the National Park Service. If you come upon a cultural artifact, please note the location of the object and notify a park ranger

Since this park is 70 miles of Texas beaches, it's good to keep in mind.

I also found it nice that they openly disclosed this one:

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park.

[WildBill]

Yep, thought I remembered that:

http://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/things2know.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metal Detectors

Possession or use of metal detectors is prohibited in the park, in order to preserve cutural resources that are protected by the National Park Service. If you come upon a cultural artifact, please note the location of the object and notify a park ranger

Since this park is 70 miles of Texas beaches, it's good to keep in mind.

I also found it nice that they openly disclosed this one:

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park.

State and Federal parks, National Monuments have additional regulations and restrictions. The original post also mentioned meteorites, which reminded me about federal property such as the debris from the Space Shuttle Colombia. Even if it is found on private property, it still belongs to the Federal government. I am not sure about other objects falling from space.

[jocat54]

Yep, thought I remembered that:

http://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/things2know.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metal Detectors

Possession or use of metal detectors is prohibited in the park, in order to preserve cutural resources that are protected by the National Park Service. If you come upon a cultural artifact, please note the location of the object and notify a park ranger

Since this park is 70 miles of Texas beaches, it's good to keep in mind.

I also found it nice that they openly disclosed this one:

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park.

State and Federal parks, National Monuments have additional regulations and restrictions. The original post also mentioned meteorites, which reminded me about federal property such as the debris from the Space Shuttle Colombia. Even if it is found on private property, it still belongs to the Federal government. I am not sure about other objects falling from space.

If you find any federal debris on private land could you charge them storage fees?

[WildBill]

Yep, thought I remembered that:

http://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/things2know.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Metal Detectors

Possession or use of metal detectors is prohibited in the park, in order to preserve cutural resources that are protected by the National Park Service. If you come upon a cultural artifact, please note the location of the object and notify a park ranger

Since this park is 70 miles of Texas beaches, it's good to keep in mind.

I also found it nice that they openly disclosed this one:

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park.

State and Federal parks, National Monuments have additional regulations and restrictions. The original post also mentioned meteorites, which reminded me about federal property such as the debris from the Space Shuttle Colombia. Even if it is found on private property, it still belongs to the Federal government. I am not sure about other objects falling from space.

If you find any federal debris on private land could you charge them storage fees?

Grumman Aerospace sent an invoice for $400,540.05 to NASA subcontractor North American Rockwell for "Towing Fees" for the disabled Apollo 13 spacecraft. I don't think they ever collected.

[philip964]

I'm no expert, but to me: if its your property your searching, you can do what you want. If it's some ones property, it belongs to them, what ever you find unless you have an agreement before hand. If it is public property it belongs to the public entity who owns it. If it is on an Indian Reservation, it belongs to the federal government, even if you have an agreement with the Native American who lives there.

If it is something that is lost, then you would need to comply with the state requirements for "lost items" which I think requires you to make an attempt to find the owner. To me anything valuable on the beach would be a lost item.

Seems like even sunken ships are owned by the governments of the country that the ship is found on or once belonged too.

Obviously if your just going to keep the item, you can do what you wish. But if your going to try and sell what you find (a valuable meteorite for example), you would need to show you own it. Saying "I found it in the desert with my metal detector" may not give you ownership to sell.

This is just my two cents.

[TexasComputerDude]

Well I think a big part of the value of a meteorite is the documentation. GPS coords, etc.

The reason I was searching our ranch is we have a few craters and it's VERY near where the Roswell incident happened. We even know one of the major players. Who my dad worked for as a kid.

[WildBill]

Well I think a big part of the value of a meteorite is the documentation. GPS coords, etc.

The reason I was searching our ranch is we have a few craters and it's VERY near where the Roswell incident happened. We even know one of the major players. Who my dad worked for as a kid.

I found this post about debris from the Shuttle, satellites, etc owned by the government.

Because this is a U.S. government satellite, any object that does reach the surface of the Earth, should it be found, is still the property of the United States," he said. "You do not have the luxury of trying to sell it on eBay." But where it falls does make a difference. If it lands within the boundaries of the United States, then "U.S. laws and regulations apply," Johnson said.

This article doesn't talk about recovering non-federal property like meteorites or UFO's, but I'd bet there's a Federal law somewhere that covers this circumstance. Or better yet, there's probably a UN treaty.

If it lands near Roswell, then all bets are off. Even if it a privately owned "weather balloon" there are probably existing laws that you need a Top Secret Q Clearance and "need to know" to find out what they are.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091211a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LSL]

Warning: Interplanetary agreements would be applicable to Roswell area.

[TexasComputerDude]

Didn't realize McFadden beach was off limits. Good thing I asked the officer coming out. My gf said it was next to a wildlife preserve but not part of it. According to him galvesrons the only real place to do it. Mcfaddens covered in trash.

We are driving out to holly beach la now. I've been looking up information and I don't think it's off limits. I'm concerned cause I have my glock in the glove box.

[LeonCarr]

A guy I know who was real big in the "flipping houses" thing a few years ago would run a metal detector over the property on each house he bought. He found everything from time capsules buried by kids to 14K Gold Rings, including a Texas A&M Ring (engraved on the inside) from 1973 that he had the pleasure of returning to its rightful owner.

Neat hobby.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[TexasComputerDude]

lol, the tech in me wants to marry an arduino, rc car, gps module, and the metal detector together to automate my search.

Unfortunately it seems I've found a way to take my "exercise" hobby and make it a "work on computer till I get a txt message that somethings been found" hobby lol.

[Dragonfighter]

If on a beach and you find something like silver coins or gold coins (they wash up occasionally along the Texas coast), slip it in your pocket and don't say squat to anyone. Texas will claim it is theirs and confiscate it. Of course not saying anything comes with its own legal risks.

[suthdj]

lol, the tech in me wants to marry an arduino, rc car, gps module, and the metal detector together to automate my search.

Unfortunately it seems I've found a way to take my "exercise" hobby and make it a "work on computer till I get a txt message that somethings been found" hobby lol.

lol work smarter not harder