BLM Collecting Guidelines
GENERAL
An objective of the BLM is to promote harmony and balance the use of Federal lands.
Respect all natural resources so that they can be enjoyed by others.
Federal regulation 43CFR8365 states that "resonable quantities" of rock, minerals, gemstones,
invertebrate and plant fossils of non-scientific importance can be collected for personnel use.
"Reasonable quantity" is considered to be not more than what can be carried in a day pack.
The BLM does not charge fees for collecting small, non-commercial quantities of rock taken by collectors.
Collecting limited amounts of rocks, minerals, and gemstones is permitted on most federal lands,
but there are some exceptions. Some lands are withdrawn or reserved for specific purposes
such as outstanding natural areas, recreation sites, or national historic sites.
Do not collect on prohibited or posted lands. Motorized vehicles and some
other activities are prohibited on BLM lands that are designated as "Wilderness Regions".
Signs are posted at roads and other accesses to these areas. There are no BLM rules
for collecting in "Wilderness Regions". Collecting in these areas are up to the local district
ranger. Check with them before collecting. Collecting in wilderness areas administered by the
U.S. Forest Service is prohibited. Collectors are permitted to collect rocks from the surface of
the ground and may use hand shovels or picks for digging. Diggings should not be more than four
feeet deep and should be filled before leaving. The use of explosives or power equipment is prohibited.
MINING CLAIMS
Collecting on recorded mining claims is not advised without the mining claimant's consent. The claimant
has a legal right to minerals and gemstones on their claim. Collecting on claims can cause legal problems.
Most claims are identified by posts or markers. It is illegal for a claimant to charge fees for collecting on
their claim. Contact an area BLM office for any information on active and abandoned claim locations.
Commonly collected rocks and minerals such as agate, jasper and petrified wood are not considered
locatable under 1872 mining law. Common rocks and minerals are not subject to mining claims.
Occasionally, some do stake claims for these materials. The fact that some material can be cut and
polished does not give them a distinct or special value to make them locatable.
SALE OF ROCK
Commercial collection for the purpose of selling rocks is not allowed without special authorization. The
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and other statutes provide that
the United States government is to receive fair market value for the sale of common varieties of rock
as well as for other resources which are sold or leased. Commercial quantities are sold at values
established by appraisal and completion.
DECORATIVE ROCK
The collecting of rock for decorative purposes is permitted as long as it is a reasonable quantity.
A reasonable quantity is considered to be the amount that can be carried in the trunk of a car.
PETRIFIED WOOD
Petrified wood may be taken for personal, non-commercial purposes and cannot be traded
or sold to commercial dealers. In accordance with Federal Regulation 43 CFR 3662, the
limit is 25 pounds plus one piece per day, or 250 pounds per year. No single piece greater
than 250 pounds is permitted to be taken without a special permit. A material sale contract must be
obtained from a BLM district office for collecting more than 250 pounds or for commercial use.
FOSSILS
It is illegal to collect vertebrate fossils on public lands without a paleontological permit. Vertebrate
and other fossils of recognized scientific interest are protected under the Antiquities Act of 1906.
In some cases, removing one of these fossils could create a gap in the scientific record. In accordance
with 18 USC, Section 641, the taking of vertebrate fossils is theft of government property.
Violators can be fined from $1000 to $10,000 and jailed from 1 to 10 years. Any vertebrate
fossil finds or fossil beds should be reported to a BLM district office for evaluation.