Up to date read for Florida "hobbyists"

[GatorBoy]

There is always two sides to every coin. I think it is advantageous to view both.
www.flpublicarchaeology.org/blog/bl...-the-proposed-citizen-archaeology-permit-cap/

 

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[GaRebel1861]

Interesting read.

 

[trevmma]

sorry gator boy, cant read right now cause im starring at that AWESOME TOOTH!!!

 

[GatorBoy]

Haha..

 

[Jon Phillips]

Everyone should check out that blog again....

It took about a week to let any opposing views be heard...and they all got a "canned response". Mine was written the same time the others were, but was "sat on" for a while.

I urge others to post a comment on there (hopefully calm, and well thought-out), to let them know that it's not a one-sided issue.

Be sure to read what all they wrote, and address them. They act like the main reason to deny the permit system is because the artifacts are a finite, non-renewable source....not like hunting and fishing....but fail to realize that almost any animal can be hunted to extinction, as some have, and that the current fossil permits allow collecting of a similar non-renewable source with no problems. It's safe to say that most stone artifacts that were ever made, exist in some form today, and most will never be unearthed....historical era artifacts are also likely to remain hidden in a lot of areas, but some are subject to deterioration.

The point that "Most finds are not isolated" is laughable! They are talking about a point found in the river! It is true that some sites have been excavated in rivers, but this is typical of someone that "Knows more than you" trying to "bamboozle" us!

 

[Jon Phillips]

I posted as "Fla Native".

 

[GatorBoy]

Very well stated. Thank you for bumping that back up.. I just quietly placed it there hoping some would see exactly what you just stated.

 

[eastTNJoe]

I posted as "Fla Native".

You did a great job making a case that many of the people who could be an asset to the state to actually document finds and sites are the ones who are being demonized. It seems that the opposing argument is that these artifacts should be ignored and undocumented so that future generations can also go along with the idea that their real value is only realized if they stay in the ground...even as bulldozers and theme parks crush any chance that they actually provide educational and historical benefits.

 

[tomclark]

- Only a handful of individuals participating in IFP (approximately 7) submitted approximately 95% of reports.

I must be one of the 5%.... I would love to see the information gleaned from the IFP, the names and numbers. I do not trust their statements.

I believe that if a permit system is instituted again, people will again dive every weekend or even every day for points, not fossils, and it will be discontinued again.
I'm over this.

 

[GatorBoy]

People are still diving and sifting for fossils and shark teeth... disturbing the same river bottoms.
Even using floating screens and shovels.
If disturbing a site is a real concern how is this OK?
You don't even need a permit to dig up river bottom in the hunt for shark teeth.
My question is rhetorical in that..I already know the answer.

 

[GatorBoy]

This is a recent school field trip.

 

[tomclark]

I just requested the data from the IFP, from the FL Dept. of State, as they are public records and we have a right to view and copy them. I will let you know when I get an answer.

 

[Jon Phillips]

A buddy said he saw some one time, just to see what people were finding, and he indicated that there were "just tons and tons" of reports.

 

[tomclark]

How much you wanna bet I'll have to drive up to Tallahassee to see those records!!!!?! Public records should all be online.

 

[Jon Phillips]

That's a safe bet! They expect to say whatever they want with nobody questioning them.

Any bets on if they gang up on me on there to discredit what I said?

I haven't got nasty...but I can!

The good thing (for us) is...I never knew this was in the works!

We need to contact the senator or whoever it was and express our opinions on how great this is!

 

[GatorBoy]

And keep a level head.. its "our" Florida. There has to be a sensible solution.
A blanket law is just the easy one...and its full of holes from the beginning.