[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34152]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-930-03-1220-00: 8365]


Establishment of Supplementary Rules for Recreational Mineral 
Collection on Lands Administered by Bureau of Land Management, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 8365.1-5 
establishes rules of conduct in regard to property and resources 
managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Section 8365.1-5(b) 
establishes that it is permissible to collect from the public lands 
``reasonable amounts'' of certain resources for personal use. This 
action establishes the standards for ``reasonable limits'' for the 
recreational collecting of rocks, mineral specimens, common 
invertebrate fossils, semi-precious gemstones, and petrified wood, as 
well as summarizes existing rules found in above referenced citation. 
Recreational Mineral Collecting is commonly called ``rockhounding.''

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Buff, Senior Minerals Specialist, 
or Terry O'Sullivan, Senior Recreation Specialist, Arizona State 
Office, 222 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004: Telephone (602) 
417-9200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To protect valuable and fragile natural and 
cultural resources and to provide for public enjoyment, the following 
supplementary rule is provided.
    Rocks, minerals, semiprecious gemstones and petrified wood may be 
collected on public lands administered by the Arizona Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) without charge or permit as long as you collect 
reasonable amounts of specimens.
    1. Arizona BLM sets the ``reasonable'' limits for personal use as 
up to 25 pounds per day, plus one piece, with a total limit of 250 
pounds per year. These limits are for rocks, mineral specimens, common 
invertebrate fossils, semi-precious gemstones, and petrified wood.
    2. A group of people does not pool their yearly allotment to 
collect a piece larger than 250 pounds of either rockhounding specimens 
or petrified wood. Authority to establish supplementary rules is 43 CFR 
8365.1-6 and violation of these rules are punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months (43 CFR 
8360.0-7).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: BLM Arizona has developed a brochure which will 
be available at local BLM offices, containing these supplementary rules 
and other regulations found in 43 CFR 8365.1-5 pertaining to 
Recreational Mineral Collecting. Rocks, mineral specimens, common 
invertebrate fossils, semi-precious gemstones, and petrified wood may 
be collected on public lands administered by the Arizona Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) without charge or permit as long as:
    1. The specimens are for personal use and are not being collected 
for commercial purposes or bartered to commercial dealers.
    2. Collection does not occur in developed recreation sites or 
areas, unless designated as a rockhounding area by the BLM.
    3. Collection is not prohibited or restricted and posted.
    4. Collection, excavation or removal are not aided with motorized 
or mechanical devices, including heavy equipment or explosives. Metal 
detectors are acceptable, with the exception of the San Pedro National 
Conservation Area.
    5. No undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands occurs 
during the removal of rock, minerals, or gemstones.
    6. For pieces of petrified wood heavier than 250 pounds or 
situations not covered in the above rules or regulations, please 
contact the local BLM office.
    7. In addition, if you are planning to use a suction dredge:
    (a) It is required that you receive permission from the Army Corps 
of Engineers prior to using any suction dredge [Telephone: Phoenix: 
(602) 640-5385; Tucson: (520) 670-5021];
    (b) It is required that you contact the local BLM office if the 
suction dredge has an intake of 4 inches or larger;
    (c) It is recommended that you contact the local BLM office if the 
suction dredge has an intake of less that 4 inches.

    Dated: December 23, 1997.
Gary D. Bauer,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-34152 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P