HB 1271 Creating Rock Collecting Permit for State Lands

[JimmyHoffa]

I think my question with this statement is how many people currently out rock collecting don't have a Discover Pass? If these people already have a Discover Pass whether to use State Parks or use DNR lands then the revenue increase won't be all that much. I also don't think there's really that many rock collectors out there, I may be wrong.

Im always disgusted at how our legislators dont look at the cost vs Rev on ideas like this If there are not that many rock hounds, and most of them that currently do have a DP it fails to raise any real $... So why push for this legislation?

I still have not seen what problem this bill adresses.

As Bearpaw mentioned it came up during the recreational task force meetings about the lack of opportunity for rock collectors. This is the problem the bill addresses.

I know the Forest Service has a lot of free use permits. Basically you go to the USFS Ranger Station pick up a free mushroom picking permit, it states rules and regulations and your on your way out. It tells the USFS how many people are picking shrooms, allows them to actually tell people the regs, and overall have better control over the collection. But like I said, its free. There is a cost to the USFS for the person distributing the permits, cost in making the permits, etc.

Maybe a state free rock collecting permit is something that can be looked at. At least then you know how many people are doing it and can provide them with the regs.

Could be free like Gold and Fish?

[bigtex]

I get bashed all the time when I say other states do it. My point isn't to say well if Montana is doing it, why shouldn't we. But rather to show that it's not something new that some crazy legislator in WA came up with. I just did a simple Google search and found that both Utah and Montana have similar permits and I'd be willing to bet there are more. Montana has a $10 Special Recreational Use Permit for use on state lands for the following activities: overnight horseback use, trapping, outfitting, group use, cutting or gathering of firewood, collecting valuable rocks and minerals, mineral exploration, collection or disturbance of archaeological, historical, or paleontological sites.

I would rather see legislation that allowed rock hounding included with purchase of the Discover Pass which is already required to be on state lands. I think that would raise additional revenue for state parks by getting more rock hounders to buy discover passes.

I think my question with this statement is how many people currently out rock collecting don't have a Discover Pass? If these people already have a Discover Pass whether to use State Parks or use DNR lands then the revenue increase won't be all that much. I also don't think there's really that many rock collectors out there, I may be wrong.

What happens to undergraduate Field Camps?

I assume you mean like geology classes going out in the field?

The current laws for all three agencies state that the director can authorize mineral/rock removal. So basically if the class professor asks DNR if they can remove X amount of rocks and DNR says yes then they can do so.

The current law may say that, but the new law makes no mention of educational exemptions.

The proposed law doesn't change existing state law. The rock collection permit basically falls under the authorization of the director. So basically it just opens up rock collecting to recreational use, all other current activities still apply.

[Special T]

I think my question with this statement is how many people currently out rock collecting don't have a Discover Pass? If these people already have a Discover Pass whether to use State Parks or use DNR lands then the revenue increase won't be all that much. I also don't think there's really that many rock collectors out there, I may be wrong.

Im always disgusted at how our legislators dont look at the cost vs Rev on ideas like this If there are not that many rock hounds, and most of them that currently do have a DP it fails to raise any real $... So why push for this legislation?

I still have not seen what problem this bill adresses.

As Bearpaw mentioned it came up during the recreational task force meetings about the lack of opportunity for rock collectors. This is the problem the bill addresses.

I know the Forest Service has a lot of free use permits. Basically you go to the USFS Ranger Station pick up a free mushroom picking permit, it states rules and regulations and your on your way out. It tells the USFS how many people are picking shrooms, allows them to actually tell people the regs, and overall have better control over the collection. But like I said, its free. There is a cost to the USFS for the person distributing the permits, cost in making the permits, etc.

Maybe a state free rock collecting permit is something that can be looked at. At least then you know how many people are doing it and can provide them with the regs.

Wow...the effort to used to adress such a pressing issue...

[bearpaw]

I think my question with this statement is how many people currently out rock collecting don't have a Discover Pass? If these people already have a Discover Pass whether to use State Parks or use DNR lands then the revenue increase won't be all that much. I also don't think there's really that many rock collectors out there, I may be wrong.

Im always disgusted at how our legislators dont look at the cost vs Rev on ideas like this If there are not that many rock hounds, and most of them that currently do have a DP it fails to raise any real $... So why push for this legislation?

I still have not seen what problem this bill adresses.

As Bearpaw mentioned it came up during the recreational task force meetings about the lack of opportunity for rock collectors. This is the problem the bill addresses.

I know the Forest Service has a lot of free use permits. Basically you go to the USFS Ranger Station pick up a free mushroom picking permit, it states rules and regulations and your on your way out. It tells the USFS how many people are picking shrooms, allows them to actually tell people the regs, and overall have better control over the collection. But like I said, its free. There is a cost to the USFS for the person distributing the permits, cost in making the permits, etc.

Maybe a state free rock collecting permit is something that can be looked at. At least then you know how many people are doing it and can provide them with the regs.

Wow...the effort to used to adress such a pressing issue...

As hunters we probably don't see this as a pressing issue but this issue is important to rock collectors and this was made clear at the task force meetings. Please understand, if you go to state land and pick up a single rock to put in your yard or flower garden you would be considered rock hounding!

I do applaud Rep Buys for trying to address the issue but I do think this would be better addressed by simply including rock hounding (up to a certain amount of rock) as an included activity in the Discover Pass which is already fairly costly. I think the legislation would have a better chance of passing and more public support if it wasn't creating another entirely new permit needed in addition to the Discover Pass.

I am wondering if some of you would consider it more acceptable if rock hounding on state lands was included as part of the Discover Pass, would you support that?

Law enforcement could still enforce the DP requirement without needing to write a ticket for anyone picking up a rock and taking it home!

[KFhunter]

I think it should be addressed just like the gold pamphlet,  a free permit and/or literature must be in your possession when digging rock.

I do want enforcement for commercial rock hounding, those guys picking truck loads to resale on CL as landscaping pavers.



A good location with nice flat rock is kept more tight lipped than an elk hunters honey hole.

 

[lokidog]

As hunters we probably don't see this as a pressing issue but this issue is important to rock collectors and this was made clear at the task force meetings. Please understand, if you go to state land and pick up a single rock to put in your yard or flower garden you would be considered rock hounding!

I do applaud Rep Buys for trying to address the issue but I do think this would be better addressed by simply including rock hounding (up to a certain amount of rock) as an included activity in the Discover Pass which is already fairly costly. I think the legislation would have a better chance of passing and more public support if it wasn't creating another entirely new permit needed in addition to the Discover Pass.

I am wondering if some of you would consider it more acceptable if rock hounding on state lands was included as part of the Discover Pass, would you support that?

Law enforcement could still enforce the DP requirement without needing to write a ticket for anyone picking up a rock and taking it home!

YES!

[CAMPMEAT]

The gubmint can't control thier spending and we are forced into more taxes, hidden as a fee, without a vote or say so.