Re: [Fwd: Re: NOVA]

[Rob Meyerson <Robert.J.Meyerson@uwrf.edu>]

Cliff Nystrom writes:

>   With regard to fossils on land under the control of different government
>entities that is a problem that should concern us all. There are a multitude
>of finds "weathering" out in the badlands of the western United States. Some
>are known and many are simply undiscovered and will never be realized.

In an attempt to counteract this danger, there was an attempt a few years ago 
to draft paleo-positions into National Park, BLM, and Forest Service budgets.  
The idea was to have people on site, who had the expertise and authority to 
find, catalog, and collect fossils found on their land.  Presumably, they would 
be an official that visitors could go to with questions, comments, and finds.  
I'm not certain on the status of this movement (and with the current 
budget-cutting being done in Washington D.C., it may be dead), but this could 
be an easy compromise.  The officials would have the authority to issue 
collecting-permits to commercial collectors, with an understanding that the 
official would be able to see the quarry and collect any scientific information 
available.

Rob Meyerson
Orphan Vertebrate Paleontologist

***
When the going gets wierd, the wierd turn pro.