Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

[Tyler Underwood]

The Kentucky legislature passed Senate Bill 105 on March 6^th to allow metal detecting in state parks. What does this mean for Perryville?

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/12rs/SB105.htm

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

Like most sites, when artifacts are removed from the ground without proper documentation they loose their context (ie the story gained from both their place in the ground and relationship to adjoining artifacts) and as such keep in mind the ground losses one possible criteria from which it could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bad news. It doesnt look like its passed yet- Nows the time KY AC members to call up and get involved. This is a bad bad precedent. I've emailed the Civil War Trust, National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Society for Historical Archeaology who all weighed in on the latest relic hunting TV show issue as well.

[tenfed1861]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

According to Kurt Holman's research,there are still a large number of both CS and US remains out on the field.I get the feeling that sometime soon,some jack*** out to make a quick buck will end up finding remains,taking said remains,and storing them in their basement.

I will try to write to the CWPT,NTHP,SHA,and my local rep.Why this is being allowed I have no clue.Not only will this endanger CW sites,but also Rev. War and westward expansion sites.I honestly hope enough pressure will force the state the overturn this bull**** law.

[Silas]

Has Governor Beshear broke out his pen yet?

It's not a law until signed by the chief executive. Until then, it's just a bill.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

The mere fact that such a bill like this is being considered and making progress is disturbing. Most if not all battlefields have some of the boys still buried on them. We have seen this at Franklin and Antietam in just the last couple of years.

[Silas]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

All kinds of disturbing bills get passed by state senates, houses or assemblies. Getting two legislative bodies to agree on something - down to the placement of periods and commas - is tougher than it seems. If something gets through the legislature, it still has to be approved by the executive.

Even then, a law isn't necessarily final because there may be valid challenges presented to the judiciary for injunctions and/or invalidation of select portions or entire blocks of new law.

Accordingly, the passage of some bill in one legislative body of a state or commonwealth has not made places like Perryville open to unrestricted mining of history. Focus some of that frustration upon legislators in the other legislative body.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

I don’t know how much good it will do but I’m sending a letter to Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. His G G grandfather Colonel Robert C. Brown was at Perryville and at the time was serving as Capt. of Company A 64^th OVI, in Wagner’s Division. Senator Browns family is very big into ACW history and I would be willing to bet that he might have a little influence on the matter.

[Boucher42]

Re: Has Governor Beshear broke out his pen yet?

It's not a law until signed by the chief executive. Until then, it's just a bill.

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I'm just a Bill, on Capitol Hill. Good one.

[faabala]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

First they will dig up decades worth of repros lost by reenactors on the Perryville battlefield. How did something so silly get though the legislature.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

They claim that it’s a way to increase tourism. Kentucky is the 8^th poorest state, so I assume that is the driving force behind the bill.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

"State Parks"

At least the diggers will stay away from the NPS.

[Fritz]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

Only in Kentucky. Probably some of the members of the state legislature have antique/curios shops and want the plunder to sell at a high profit.

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

For those who haven't heard, the bill failed to get past the House committee.

http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/22/2121521/treasure-hunters-proposal-hits.html

[dusty27]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

Thanks for the update, Matthew

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Metal detecting in Kentucky State Parks

This is good news, Matt!