Fossils/mineral rights

[AnmlPeople@aol.com]

"Ideally,  any non-professional collecting on public lands would be
restricted to simply reporting the find,  as they would any other mineral
resource so discovered."
        --Larry Smith,  2/1/95

Say what?  People who find mineral resources on public lands are entitled to
file a mining patent under the now rather controversial but still unamended
mining claims act of 1872 and claim the site for something like $2.00 an
acre--and they don't even have to pay a royalty to the U.S. government.
It's also my second-hand understanding that the courts,  in the "Sue" case,
 essentially ruled that fossils are to be treated like any other mineral
resource.  I believe there are people on this board who were involved in the
"Sue" litigation,  who perhaps can clarify this.  If anyone can mail or post
a copy of the actual court decision,  I'd be appreciative.  --Merritt
Clifton,  editor,  ANIMAL PEOPLE,  POB 205,  Shushan,  NY  12873.