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Post by Starguy on Aug 28, 2022 18:28:52 GMT -5
realrockhoundYour garnets look like they would tumble nicely. If they aren’t from Emerald Creek near Clarkia, Id, they likely won’t exhibit stars.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,759
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Post by gemfeller on Aug 28, 2022 18:55:51 GMT -5
Starguy , You mean to say tunneling without supports is dangerous? (Sarcasm). It's amazing people like me survived our early days of hounding! I recall that my enthusiasm sometimes overcame any sense of personal risk. Now that I'm older I shudder to think of some of the digging I did in my 20s. There was one tunnel in Jordan Valley, OR where we collected some amazing black opalized driftwood with a pure white outer layer. It went back about 15 feet with nothing but loose sediment above. I recall a queasy sense of dread while inside it but I still hacked away with an entrenching tool to get one more specimen, and then again and again. Yes, I think it's a good thing the feds are looking out for overzealous fools like I was at the time.
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Post by Starguy on Aug 29, 2022 12:28:28 GMT -5
gemfellerI’m guessing there are a lot of us that are lucky to be alive after our youths. That gut feel you describe has likely saved a few.
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Post by Starguy on Aug 30, 2022 16:32:35 GMT -5
I have a question: Why is the US Forest Service mining garnets? When I started this post, it was because I thought everyone would appreciate seeing the process. I was a little surprised by some of the responses. If mining Garnet in Emerald Creek was left up to commercial interests, or the public there, would be no garnets left to mine. The US Forest Service has done an admirable job of maintaining the dig site for the long term. Why would you want to turn over mining this resource to commercial interests? Despite this area being mined for decades, you can still go there and find a nice amount of garnets. Ask Rick. This is a cool but LIMITED resource. The government is trying to make it last so the greatest number of US citizens can enjoy it. Sincerely, Brent.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 30, 2022 19:00:16 GMT -5
I have a question: Why is the US Forest Service mining garnets? When I started this post, it was because I thought everyone would appreciate seeing the process. I was a little surprised by some of the responses. If mining Garnet in Emerald Creek was left up to commercial interests, or the public there, would be no garnets left to mine. The US Forest Service has done an admirable job of maintaining the dig site for the long term. Why would you want to turn over mining this resource to commercial interests? Despite this area being mined for decades, you can still go there and find a nice amount of garnets. Ask Rick. This is a cool but LIMITED resource. The government is trying to make it last so the greatest number of US citizens can enjoy it. Sincerely, Brent. I get it. I wouldn't want it to be turned over to commercial interests. I know the greed that people have, too. Sometimes managing a resource like that is a necessity. Sorry again for hijacking your thread. I was really crabby that day. I should have just kept my yap shut and I did enjoy seeing your pictures.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,212
Member is Online
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Post by quartzilla on Sept 1, 2022 7:29:04 GMT -5
I have a question: Why is the US Forest Service mining garnets? When I started this post, it was because I thought everyone would appreciate seeing the process. I was a little surprised by some of the responses. If mining Garnet in Emerald Creek was left up to commercial interests, or the public there, would be no garnets left to mine. The US Forest Service has done an admirable job of maintaining the dig site for the long term. Why would you want to turn over mining this resource to commercial interests? Despite this area being mined for decades, you can still go there and find a nice amount of garnets. Ask Rick. This is a cool but LIMITED resource. The government is trying to make it last so the greatest number of US citizens can enjoy it. Sincerely, Brent. That’s an excellent point I didn’t consider. The commercial guys are likely to scrape up every piece and leave nothing for the casual hobbiest. My beef with the gov in these matters is the slow close of all our sites to collect in here in CA. One by one they are ticking them off from access of the hobbiest, who’s collecting and digging of occasional holes has minimal impact. It’s cool they tapped you for input in the mining process and that people who might not have access to the material are now able to get it. I just wish the public had more access to the public lands. They are, after all, our lands.
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Post by Rockoonz on Sept 1, 2022 8:47:36 GMT -5
I just wish the public had more access to the public lands. They are, after all, our lands. How Quaint. Referring to the kings forest as the peoples land. Those lands are reserved for those who pay the most in campaign contributions and employ politicians families in no show jobs who have a vested interest.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,455
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Post by Sabre52 on Sept 4, 2022 17:15:10 GMT -5
As a long time rockhound I have seen what commercial collectors and miners can do to gem and mineral sites and can see where the government is coming from in this case. However, in light of government closures of so many of our hounding sites, one wonders what comes next with the BLM etc. When they close the Cady Mtns or Lavic Siding and find themselves in need of funds will we see the development of more government "fee sites" using the same kind of excuse, so only folks with money can hunt rocks from these locations? Reason I question this tactic is I am old enough to remember when one could roam the deserts etc with their pop for free and rockhounding was a hobby even the poorest folks could enjoy. Not so much these days when access is becoming a major problem and the government is, to a great extent, at fault. I would think a better solution would be better enforcement to prevent commercial exploitation of sites and petrified wood type bag limits to extend the life of deposits. Most of the sites I've seen destroyed have been due to mechanical mining for money. Most rockhounds do limited digging and take relatively small quantities of material. A lesson in point would be the Baker Ranch t-egg digs. Private land in this case but a good example. It was a fee dig ( 15 cents per pound) and you got permission and went out and hand dug in a small pit. Went several times over the years and it was still a small dig, small pit, dug by hand. Then the Geode Kid took it over and plainly raped the entire location to a huge depth. I've seen places where commercial diggers did the same thing on government land. Enforcement should be aggressive and fines heavy in these instances. IMHO.
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Post by HankRocks on Sept 4, 2022 19:40:08 GMT -5
My brother and I dug at both Big Diggins and the Baker Ranch site in 75, maybe 76. We got maps and permission from Eddie Lindberg at his place at the edge of town so I believe he still controlled the t-egg site. There was no deep pit that I remember. Later pictures from there clearly show deep pits.
At the Big Diggins site these days, claim holders are allowed to do limited machine digs. The local Club has a claim and they usually open up a trench for their Show in late Feb. Those trenches are required to be filled at some point after the Show.
It's difficult these days to strike a balance between the two extremes; everything shut down or no controls at all. It's one reason I have enjoyed buying from estate type collections, no hassles, just a discussion on price and it's done. It's not quite as fun as finding it yourself, but it can be much more productive.
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