Southeastern Lands

[maksutaSTAR]

Dixie dredger

We have been looking into ways that would open Eastern lands to location for a long time, we have not had much success as they are aquired federal government lands or private property. There is not much anyone can do about private property and very little we can do about acquired lands.

To me acquired land is a Constitutional argument, meaning the government by the constitution is only allowed to own certain lands, such as military bases and post offices otherwise they are to rid there self of those excess lands. Of caurse if they do that the lands will become private.

You may want to do research and actually find out who owns the minerals, the government, mining company or a private party and see if you can make some type of deal that will allow you to work the land. You can also lease acquired lands in many cases.

It is important fdor use to continue to keep the public lands in the west for the public. Although you may not feel that this helps you, it helps in this respect: People from the East, South and North come west for vactions and to live, thus by protecting the western lands we preserve the rights of others to use them for mining if they ever do get the opportunity to come west for what ever reason. We hope that one day or until something can be done about acquired lands, that you and yours get an opportunity to come west of the Mississsippi and file a claim and utilize it.

Jerry

[thorrooferazxcl]

What about Navigable waterways? Aren't they public land that is "held in trust" for use by the public? I thought they had never been "owned" by anybody. Is there a way that this could be used? If A navigable waterway has never been "owned" by an entity, wouldn't the mineral rights in the waterway (and below the high watermark) also fall under the "held in trust" clause? I have got SCDNR to admit that I have rights to be in the navigable waterways and that they have no regulation against dredging (even in the waters classified as "Scenic"). But, I get refered to SCIAA (South Carolina Institute of Archeaology and Anthropology), where I am told that I have to get an exclusive permit through them "to cause any type of bottom disturbance". And the Corps of Engineers tells me that all NWP's are being revoked and reviewed on March 18 2007. And none of the other agencies I have contacted (SCDHEC, SC Geological Survey and the SC Mining Council) will even dignify me with an answer. So, I guess my question is, Where do I go from here. Nobody seems to know what I can or can't do? Do I just do what I want until I get a citation and then go to court or what? I want to be legal, but nobody can tell me how to be legal.

[maksutaSTAR]

I am not sure of the Eastern rivers and the navigable waters but in the west the state lands commission owns the lands under the navigable waters and probably the army corp and the state regulate them.

To find out about scinic rivers, go to google, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and you will find that they are withdrawn from mineral entry, no claiming but they do recognize valid existing rights for prior claims before the withdrawal. That does not mean that you can not prospect for the purpose of gathering information. atleast that is what happens in the West.

Research government acquired lands on google.

Jerry