[Rockhounds] FW: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: PublicLand Usage Bills

[Wes Lingerfelt]

The following statement found in the text below is totally false:
"The CFMS and AFMS can not issue a position statement on political
>>>issues because of their tax status, therefore all position statements on 
>>>political issues must be made as individuals and not related to or 
>>>reference to any of the Federations."

The IRS allows any tax exempt organization up to 5% of their assets to go 
toward lobbying for a cause associated with the charter in which the 
organization was founded. There isn't any chance that taking a position and 
issuing a statement in support of Rock or Mineral collecting on public lands 
would be a problem unless you take out national TV and radio advertising. 
How much would the Federations spend in typing up a letter and sending it 
out to the congress membership?  I doubt it would exceed the 5% limit 
allowed by the IRS.
Wes Lingerfelt, Director CFMS


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeffrey T. Cessna" <jcessna at nist.gov>
To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] FW: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: PublicLand 
Usage Bills


> OK, I'll bite. This is a hoax about the previous email being a hoax.
>
> Actually, decide for yourself. If you follow the link you find the 
> following summary from the Congressional Research Service of the Library 
> of Congress...
>
> Section 5 -
> Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from federal 
> land without a permit issued under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to 
> allow casual collecting of a reasonable amount of common invertebrate and 
> plant paleontological resources for non-commercial personal uses without a 
> permit on certain federal lands. Recognizes as valid permits issued before 
> enactment of this Act. Sets forth criteria by which the Secretary may 
> issue permits for paleontological resources. Requires that any 
> paleontological resource and associated records collected under a permit 
> be deposited in an approved repository. Allows the Secretary to modify, 
> suspend, or revoke a permit under specified circumstances, including if 
> there is a violation of a term or a condition of a permit. Declares that a 
> permit shall be revoked if any person working under the authority of the 
> permit is convicted of a criminal offense under this Act or assessed a 
> civil penalty under this Act.
>
> Just because this type of thing comes up repeatedly, but never gets passed 
> doesn't mean it won't some day.
>
> Cheers.
>
> At 02:21 PM 11/21/2008, you wrote:
>>This is a hoax. People have been crying about the sky falling like this 
>>every year for as long as there has been the internet. I am sure that 
>>everyone is going to rush right over and do what they are told to do, but 
>>it is just a waste of time.
>>
>>
>>Lawrence Bull wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me
>>>
>>>Subject: FW: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: Public Land Usage 
>>>BillsDate: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:19:49 -0600From: HallB at VMCMAIL.comTo: 
>>>bavosite at charter.net; jimcahoon70 at gmail.com; john at trinityminerals.com; 
>>>kgliesman at charter.net; llbullbull at hotmail.com; banach at cox.net; 
>>>nelsonkennelson at alltel.net; prgilmore at hotmail.com; richt at chesterton.com; 
>>>rggibbs at cybermesa.com; steveandjeri at frontiernet.net; Trr1965 at aol.com; 
>>>Paul.J.Young at nae02.usace.army.mil; mharitos at comcast.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>This is CHANGE .
>>>
>>>Next step is any recreational activity ( mineral collecting etc ) within 
>>>USFS or BLM lands ..
>>>
>>>Take the time to read and send a response to your Representative and 
>>>Senators
>>>
>>>
>>>Bill Hall Sr. Mine Engineer Vulcan Materials Atlanta, Ga. 770-454-3616 
>>>hallb at vmcmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>From: Fikes, Bryan (SED) Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:24 AMTo: 
>>>Hall, Bill (SED)Subject: FW: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: Public 
>>>Land Usage Bills
>>>
>>>More big brother keeping us good guys from finding fossils...minerals are 
>>>probably next dude. The attached PDF spells it out.
>>>BEF
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>From: Baldwin (Sr.), Jimmy Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:05 AMTo: 
>>>Fikes, Bryan (SED)Subject: FW: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: Public 
>>>Land Usage Bills
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>From: Dewayne Varnam [mailto:bones3 at atmc.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 
>>>2008 10:12 PMTo: Winslow, Tom; Will & Lois Hill; Walter Marley; Thomas 
>>>Caggiano; Steven & Margaret Noel; Steve Oakley; Stacy Lynn Harvey; Shane, 
>>>Heather & Ridge Nixon; Rob & Brenda Jonmore; Mitch Utter; Mike Reece; 
>>>Michael K. Smith; Matt Westdyke; Mary Frances Comer; MarvinRea at aol.com; 
>>>Margie & Mike Kalua; Kathleen Wallis & Walt Kubilius; Joy D. Murphy; 
>>>Jonathan R. Nixon; John Knight; Baldwin (Sr.), Jimmy; Jim Rose; Jim 
>>>Hartsell; Jim & Beverly Mahoney; Jerry Britt; Jack Wells; Greg Lamkin; 
>>>Glenn Branch; Gerald D. Reel; George Charles Fonger; Gary & Rhonda Nixon; 
>>>Dick & Angela Stober; Deborah Burdette; Danny Winslow; Dan Furimsky; 
>>>Charles Blanchard; Bruce Lambert; Brian Smarrella; Brett Cotten; Brent & 
>>>Dana McGuirt; Bob Simmons; Bob & Kim Wilke; Beth Heath; Anne Lineberry; 
>>>Anna Dean; Andy Albright; Alan Russo; Adam Osborn; David 
>>>SandersonSubject: FOSSIL HUNTING HOBBY IN DANGER Fw: Public Land Usage 
>>>Bi!
>>lls
>>>
>>>Hey folks,
>>>If you want to keep fossil hunting like it is and be able to enjoy it 
>>>more in the coming years rather than less, then you better read this crap 
>>>of a bill that is proposed for law. I received this from Tom Winslow in 
>>>our club. Thanks Tom. For those that really enjoy fossil hunting, you 
>>>better contact your representatives now and let your voice be heard. Tell 
>>>them we don't want this bill to pass.
>>>
>>>
>>>-Dewayne Varnam
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: Winslow, Tom
>>>Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:26 PM
>>>
>>>Subject: Public Land Usage Bills
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, IncThe Friendly 
>>>Federation - Founded in 1976 to serve.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>To all AFMS/CFMS Clubs and Rockhounds:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>It has been reported and confirmed that the Omnibus Land Bill of 2008 S. 
>>>3213 now includes within its pages the following bill introduced during 
>>>the 110th Congressional Session:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>H.R. 554: Paleontological Resources Preservation Act
>>>Introduced by James McGovern [D-MA]
>>>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-554
>>>
>>>has been attached to the:
>>>
>>>
>>>Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008: S. 3213
>>>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3213
>>>This bill will designate certain land as components of the National 
>>>Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and 
>>>activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of 
>>>Agriculture, and for other purposes.
>>>
>>>
>>>  Below are the sub-paragraph Titles of S. 3213 that relate to H.R. 554: 
>>> Paleontological Resources Preservation Act. Attached to this email is 
>>> the actual Subtitle E from the Omnibus Land Management Bill.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  Subtitle E--Paleontological Resources Preservation  [PDF FILE 
>>> ATTACHED ]
>>>
>>>Sec. 641. Definitions.
>>>
>>>Sec. 642. Management.
>>>
>>>Sec. 643. Public awareness and education program.
>>>
>>>Sec. 644. Collection of paleontological resources.
>>>
>>>Sec. 645. Curation of resources.
>>>
>>>Sec. 646. Prohibited acts; criminal penalties.
>>>
>>>Sec. 647. Civil penalties.
>>>
>>>Sec. 648. Rewards and forfeiture.
>>>
>>>Sec. 649. Confidentiality.
>>>
>>>Sec. 650. Regulations.
>>>
>>>Sec. 651. Savings provisions.
>>>
>>>Sec. 652. Authorization of appropriations.
>>>Now not only do we have to work to defeat HR 554, but now S. 3213 
>>>Subtitle E.   If either bill passes we loose the right to collect, own, 
>>>show, etc.,  Vertebrate fossils found on United States of America Public 
>>>Land. Further more it will be up to you to show proof of acquisition for 
>>>the fossil or fossil fragments.
>>>It might not get passed during the lame duck congress, but I can assure 
>>>you it will get passed right after the first of the year by the 
>>>democratic congress.  If these bills are passed they will really be a 
>>>determent to all of our collecting not only in California, but all 
>>>across the United States of America.
>>>Time is running out for any kind of meaningful commit to our legislators. 
>>>We all need to read the bills and be informed.  We all need to write, 
>>>call, email or fax the people in Washington and ask them to vote NO on 
>>>the above bills.  The more negative responses they have received the more 
>>>likely they may to be swayed to stop their passage.
>>>The CFMS and AFMS can not issue a position statement on political issues 
>>>because of their tax status, therefore all position statements on 
>>>political issues must be made as individuals and not related to or 
>>>reference to any of the Federations.
>>>
>>>The bills listed below are still on the track to becoming law, but have 
>>>not been added to the Omnibus Land Bill of 2008 as of this mailing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>S. 493: California Wild Heritage Act of 2007 Introduced by B. Boxer [D- 
>>>CA]
>>>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-493
>>>
>>>
>>>S. 3069: Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act
>>>Introduced by B. Boxer [D- CA]
>>>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3069
>>>
>>>
>>>H.R. 6156: Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act
>>>Introduced by Howard McKeon [R-CA]
>>>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-6156
>>>Contact your legislators and make your voice be heard.  Keep our public 
>>>lands open to the public.
>>>Please send this information to other clubs and individuals who need to 
>>>know the story. Please include all or part in your newsletters.  Please 
>>>get the word out.
>>>Thank you again for your time.
>>>John Martin
>>>
>>>AFMS Conservation & Legislation Committee
>>>
>>>CFMS PLAC South 2005-2008
>>>
>>>Palmdale Gem and Mineral Club
>>>
>>>smartin at antelecom.net
>>>
>>>pgmc at antelecom.net
>>>
>>>This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and 
>>>may contain General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies confidential or 
>>>privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or 
>>>distribution is prohibited. If you are not an intended recipient, please 
>>>contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original 
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>>
>>--
>>Rick Trapp
>>Geologist/IT Manager, Arizona Geological Survey
>>rick.trapp at azgs.az.gov
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>--
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