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Re: Fossil Image - Trilobite

Posted by Inyo3 on April 21, 1998 at 15:21:53:

In Reply to: Re: Fossil Image - Trilobite posted by guide on April 20, 1998 at 23:20:30:

: : Yes, there are trilobites in the Lower Cambrian Poleta formation (and Campito formation) near Cedar Flat, Inyo-White Mountains, Calif. But remember that this is all National Forest Land. Restrictions apply. Do not get caught collecting there without a permit issued by the appropriate authorities. You will most certainly be fined severely, under the maximum penalty of the law.

:
: THIS ARE THE FACTS ON THIS ISSUE:

: In any land in California under authority of the Bureau of Land Management, it is perfectly legal to collect any INVERTEBRATED fossil by ANYONE who desires so. And TRILOBITES are invertebrated. What it is severely fined is to collect VERTEBRATED fossils and ARCHEOLOGICAL remains without an special paleontological or archeological permit. By "collecting" is meant picking the fossil up and putting it in your bag or pocket. However, you can still "hunt" for these "forbiden" items and excavate their surroundings without a permit if you DO NOT remove them from the soil. If you find something, you must notify the nearest Bureau and they'll organize a proper scientifical expedition, which YOU will be part of. If the find is not important.. you may be allowed to keep part or all of it after the site has been properly cataloged and studied. Call your nearest Bureau of Land Management to obtain more information.

No, here are facts: The White-Inyo Mountains Early Cambrian sites lie within National Forest Land, administered by the US Forest Service, not the BLM. The Bureau of Land Management is invariably a more fossil-friendly organization, but the US Forest Service is less tolerant of amateur explorations. Get the permit, if you can. If not, do not keep any fossils found in the White-Inyo Mountains Paleozoic complex.


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