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Tallahassee, FL - The Florida Department of State and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says they've recovered thousands of pieces of stolen arrowheads, tools and other historical artifacts in what they're calling one of the largest busts of its kind.
FWC says those arrests led to the confiscation of thousands of artifacts totaling roughly $2 million dollars.
"This looting incident didn't just take artifacts out of the ground. it took history away from this generation and future generations of Florida,"
Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
So technically, this is saying you're stealing the state's property...I.E...They assume ownership of everything that does or ever HAS existed within their borders. The people who actually live on the land and in the state have no right to anything, of any kind, unless permitted by the state.
Now isn't that just an interesting way to see things develop? I really DO understand the need for enforcement and prevention of looting to archaeological sites. Plundering caves and cliff dwellings are an example. This has nothing to do with that by the sound of it though and it's another case of enforcing the law while totally BLIND to circumstance or spirit. The book says such and such is, by letter, a felony so it's a case to throw that book at them? So much of this happening these days.
Originally posted by MessOnTheFED!
reply to post by CIAGypsy
If you have a stream running through your property and its big enough to get a boat through it, the state owns it. "Any navigable body of water". If you have a stream running through your property, feel free to take whatever you want out of it while noone is watching, as long as it doesn't obstruct the flow of water. If you own a piece of property with a stream running through it, dont apologize to anyone for taking whatever you want out of it.
MOTF!
Is it ever legal to surface collect artifacts on federal lands?
No, unless you are a professional researcher (archeologist) working for a federal agency or you have an ARPA permit to collect . However, a provision of ARPA allows the collection of arrowheads from the surface. To be sure, check with the agency managing the land you want to collect.