Rules for the Use of metal detectors in Michigan State Parks.

[Sandman]

USE OF METAL DETECTORS

POLICY

The use of electronic metal detectors to find lost coins, rings, watches, or other valuables is a popular activity. Favorite search areas are intensive use areas, especially beaches. Parks and Recreation Bureau (PRB) has long recognized this as a recreational activity at appropriate locales. However, there is increasing concern that metal detectors are facilitating illegal removal of archaeological and historic resources from Division-administered lands.

Public Act 451, 324.74102 mandates the protection of historic resources within State Parks.

Public Act 238 of 1957 provides a means of disposing of personal property lost or abandoned on state property and this is included in the Park Field Manual, Ranger Guide, and Parks and Recreation Policy #1.10.

Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 761 Aboriginal Records and Antiquities, prohibits a person from removing, exploring or excavating any relic or aboriginal antiquities and abandoned property of historical or recreational value found upon or within the lands owned by or under the control of the state.

In addition to the concerns regarding the unauthorized removal of historical artifacts, there is a concern related to the potential damage to lands resulting from the act of “digging up” items identified by various metal detectors.

Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 324.74121, State parks; prohibited conduct, in section 74121 states:

“A person shall not do the following in a state park:

(a) Destroy, damage or remove any tree, shrub, wildflower or other vegetation or property without the permission of the department.”

Metal detectors may provide the public with a chance of recovering some lost possessions in intensively used areas. Items of historic value may not be removed.

For the foregoing reasons, it shall be the policy of the Parks and Recreation Bureau to prohibit the use of metal detectors on all Bureau-administered lands except:

1. Designated swimming beaches
2. Designated day use areas
3. Campgrounds
4. Parking lots
5. Boating access site parking lots

Exceptions to the areas listed above may be given in specific instances based upon new information that was unknown on the approval date of this policy.

It shall be the responsibility of the individual field unit to provide a map specifically designating areas in which this activity is allowed.
For requests to conduct archaeological research, refer to Parks and Recreation Policy #8.7, Use Permits. Archaeological research requires a permit jointly issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

The following conditions apply to the use of metal detectors in state parks:

1. All recovered items must be checked by a park employee before being removed from the park.

2. Any items the park has recorded lost and that can be returned to the rightful owner will be turned in to the park, or the park will notify the owner of the name and address of the finder.

3. Coins may be retained by the finder unless rare and historic. If coins are turned in, PRB staff should contact the Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries to determine historic value and disposition instructions.

4. Any artifacts found will be retained by the State.

5. The use of probes or small hand trowels to retrieve objects discovered beneath the surface shall be allowed if the land is not unduly disturbed. Disturbed material must be replaced.

6. Large-scale digging to retrieve objects shall not be allowed unless being done as part of a Department authorized archaeological research project.

Metal detectors are prohibited from:

1. Fayette State Park and Fort Wilkins State Park

2. Beaches, day use areas, boating access sites or campgrounds known to have artifacts.

3. Designated historic or archaeological sites. Designated includes sites listed on the State or National registers of historic places, or indicated by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries as eligible for listing on the State or Federal register.
4. Areas specifically closed to the use of metal detectors by a Land Use Order of the Director.

 

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[EDDE]

is there a clause about getting screwed with your clothes on............
"1. All recovered items must be checked by a park employee before being removed from the park."

 

[sandrailer]

Boy our tax $$$`s don`t fund any state parks? So if you find it and put in the time and cash for the MD bend over and take it from the wonderful state of Mi.I tell ya what i think i need to move out of this crappy state.OK im done i`ll get off the soap box sorry.

 

[Bazooka]

Hey guys first post here! Thanks for posting those detailed guidelines. I've looked at the park maps before when I'd be heading to one. The one I camped at last year had maps on the internet, and said you could only detect at the beach, which I did for the most part. I was never approached by anyone, and did not turn in my finds. In fact I read all the park rules posted everywhere, and there was no mention of off limits detecting, or metal detecting at all! The last day me and some kids hunted some campsites and I was just looking for confrontation, but it never came. If you read the rules of these parks, there a tons of ridiculous rules that no one follows. For instance, bikes could only be rode on the path, never on the grass. As far as I'm concerned, the rule needs to be posted at the park, or I'm detecting. I always check the posted rules. If you are confronted, you can just say that you read the posted rules.
BTW, my home forum is metal detectors paradise, its a small but friendly bunch.

 

[Dick from IA]

BTW, my home forum is metal detectors paradise, its a small but friendly bunch.

My home, too, Bazooka; But I sure enjoy the broad range of topics and participants here at TNet, too.

After reading the Michigan State Park rules pertaining to MDing, I'd say you're fortunate. In Iowa the rule is simple: NO!!!

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Coins may be retained by the finder unless rare and historic. If coins are turned in, PRB staff should contact the Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries to determine historic value and disposition instructions..............


....... thats going to happen 8)

 

[bongo1962]

I would be really interested in the log of finds turned over to the state historical society by the employees of the parks? Bongo

 

[Planet1mars]

I have a coplete list of michigan state parks to go and there is red markings were you are aloud to go My dream is porcipine moutain were it said indians had gold around there necks.. its http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10883-97922--,00.html I also have the historic park list of michigan site

 

[SgtSki in MI]

is there a clause about getting screwed with your clothes on............
"1. All recovered items must be checked by a park employee before being removed from the park."

So just show em all of your rare and valuable pulltabs, bottlecaps, tinfoil, gumwrappers, can slaw, zipper pulls, and clad. Sooner or later they'll get tired of looking at everybody's crap and leave you alone.

The only state parks I detect are Mears State Park in Pentwater and the beach at Ludington, which is the only part of that park that you can detect, along with the Pines Campground.

Somehow this has GOT to be amended or repealed.....it's BS.

I think the DNR should issue permits to detect ALL state land, not just parks much like a hunting license. Of course, places like Fayette or other historic areas, along with ACTIVE archaeological areas, wouldn't be included on the list of permitted places. I'd gladly pay like 15 bucks or so for a permit like that, because I know where dozens of old homesteads and ghost town sites are on State land. The only blowback to that is that towns will start copy-catting the process and then you'd have to pay to hunt in every town on your list.

But that way if you're out in the woods somewhere detecting a cellar hole, and a DNR officer comes up to you, all you have to do is whip out your permit. As long as you're detecting responsibly, filling in your holes, and packing out the trash you dig he'll pretty much have to let you be.

Yeah like the State Grave Robber's ever gonna let THAT happen!!! OOPS, did I say Grave Robber? I meant State Archaeologist!

HH,
SgtSki

 

[Planet1mars]

we have to get a petion with signatures to a crook i mean a polotician to overturn or fix it.

 

[Rattles]

Hmm. I asked the girl working the booth at Holland State Park yesterday if it was allowed and she said it was OK. Nothing more was said.

Found a nickel (nothing special), a Skoal tin and a empty Coke can (10 cent MI return!).