THE NOR’EASTER
Janurary 2008
The Presidents Column
Here we are into a new year. I hope everybody has cleaned their detectors and charged the
batteries, and done their research for this years hunts. I want to welcome 2 new clubs to the chapter, The Richmond Research
and Recovery of Staten Island and the Staten Island History Hunters Metal Detecting Club also of Staten Island. Also I want to welcome
back the Atlantic Treasure Club. We have had a number of Independent
Members join the FMDAC, and I hope the 2007 members have sent in their 2008 dues and stay
with us.
I have been receiving the clubs news letters from some of you, but not all. If you have not
been sending me the newsletter, please put me on your list to receive your newsletter.
We have a new website manager. Her name is Holly Lee, and I think she is doing a great job.
If anyone wants anything put on the FMDAC website, send it to me, and I will contact Jill or Holly to put it on the website.
Also let me know of any changes in your addresses, meeting info, or e-mails so I can get those changes in.
This Springs FMDAC Convention will be a little different from those in the past. It will be
at the K River Campgrounds in Antlers, Oklahoma. It’s
called the FMDAC Festival. There will be Seminars, Workshops, and Displays, and Pinpoint Competitions, Team Competitions,
and Gold Panning Competitions. There will be Canoeing, Tubing, Horseback riding,
a Scavenger hunt, a night hunt, and a detector throw. Instead
of the Banquet, there will be a Chuck wagon Bar-B-Q, and plenty to do for the whole family and
kids. You can get the information on the FMDAC website (www.fmdac.org
) or you can get in touch with me and I will send it to you.
John Howard
The Vice Presidents Column
The New Year started out well legislatively. An item that turned up in early January was that
the bill in Washington State
was resubmitted. This is one to further open up the state parks to detecting.
It was blocked in committee last year. Let’s hope it gets a bit farther this year. Then the good news took a nose dive.
The bill in Kentucky has been resubmitted. This was one that went after sites on private property. The number is HB295. This is a very bad bill and
is similar to the one I just mentioned in Oregon. I outlined
this bill in my Western & Eastern Treasures column a few months ago. Stay tuned to the website for more info.
I recently I learned of a change in regulations in Georgia. I am still researching it. It seems that if you intend on detecting on
a historical site on private property you must notify the state before doing so. There is a phone number you can call or a
website where you can register. This is actually a change for the good. The prior regulation stated that you had to notify
the state in writing 5 days before. What constitutes a historical site?
I have not yet been able to find. A detectorist that I have conversed with from Georgia called the number and asked “what determines
a historical site”. The answer was that if you want to search there then it must be historical! That’s a real intelligent response. The law also says that you must have permission in writing. Verbal
permission is not valid.
In the state of Oregon comes
a more disturbing occurrence. A bottle digger who was featured on a cable show received a letter from the state telling him
that he is violating the law by digging artifacts on PRIVATE PROPERTY even with the owner’s permission. You must get
a permit from the state and be observed by an archaeologist. Yes you read that
right. Apparently they managed to slip in a law some time ago that no one was aware of. The real kicker is that you have to
hire an archaeologist to observe you. A historical site is defined as an area containing 10 or more artifacts in a concentrated
area. If I lived in Oregon I probably would never find more
then 9 items in any one “concentrated” area! Had this law been made public during the process I have no
doubt that it would have gone down in flames. This is a repressive law, which does not represent
American values.
Now on a lighter note I hope everyone is using this winter period to catch up on your research.
If you don’t mind the cold you might even be getting in a little hunting. I know a few people who have. This is the
time to hit the library and the old maps. It is amazing when I hear people say that there is no place left to search. A few minutes spent looking at an 1800’s map of my township gives me dozens
of potential sites. Many times it is practically an “X marks the spot” scenario.
Mark Schuessler
Best Wishes for a great New Year FMDAC/Northeast Chapter
John Howard-President
Mark Schuessler-Vice President
Ken Gudernatch-Treasurer
