Whats the deal with Virginia?

[T-Rex]

What's the deal with Virginia?

What's the scoop on Virginia and it's anti-metal detector legislation. I am heading there for vacation in a couple weeks and was planning on taking my MD, but after I received this e-mail I'm having second thoughts... don't want a confiscation and fine...

Is this the gospel or bologna?

From: pco pco
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: Metal Detector Use?


Metal detectors can be used only on man-made beaches per conditions at the specific park. Use elsewhere is a violation of the Virginia Antiquities Act. You'll need to contact the park(s) of interest to discuss the when's and where's. Some parks issue a special use permit so they know who's out there. Others restrict access at certain times of the year so they can close the gate to the beach area. This would restrict use of metal detectors to those parks with swimming beaches - Claytor Lake, Hungry Mother, Douthat, Bear Creek, Fairy Stone, Holliday Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, Twin Lakes, Lake Anna, First Landing, and Kiptopeke.
Specifically, State Parks Regulation 5 reads, "No person shall remove, destroy, cut down, mar, mutilate, injure, take or gather in any manner any tree, flower, fern, shrub, rock or plant, historical artifact, or mineral in any park. Special permits may be obtained for scientific collection."
Thanks for writing.


Hello,
What's the policy towards the casual use of a metal detector? Permitted/prohibited, where/where not?

We're planning a week long trip in the next few weeks, thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Thanks

 

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[PrizmIV]

Re: What's the deal with Virginia?

some people dont want anyone to have any fun

 

[KalamazooHunter]

Re: What's the deal with Virginia?

I'm also going to take my metal detector to Virginia when I go in a couple of months. I was hoping to hit up a couple of parks and the beach but who knows now....

 

[Emperor Findus Cladius]

Re: What's the deal with Virginia?

I imagine that is more tuned to state property, if you get permission from private property (church, home, etc) they cant do much about it. I was stationed at Quantico VA twice, and hit several churches in the surrounding areas, and never got turned down once. A couple said only in the grassy parking lot area (which I still found mercs), but as I said I never got turned down. Just an idea.

 

[T-Rex]

Re: What's the deal with Virginia?

They actually passed a state law and put it on the books... you even have to have a "written and signed" permission from the landowner on private property or they can still bust you... from what I hear all beaches (like VA Beach) are out, unless it's a manmade beach...

If I find out more I will post...

 

[T-Rex]

Re: What's the deal with Virginia?

Well, don't go to Alexandria VA... the same goes for any state owned property except the punishment is harsher... looks like it's private land with a landowners John Hancock... what a bummer...

Code of the City of Alexandria Chapter 1, Title 13 Section 13-1-40:

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c) and (d), it shall be unlawful for any person, while located on city property, to:

possess or use a mineral or metal detector or any other device or probe to search for objects in, on or below the surface of the soil;
dig, excavate or in any other way disturb the surface of the soil;
remove any object found in, on or below the surface of the soil.
(b) Notwithstanding the prohibitions in subsections (a) (1) and (a) (3), permission may be obtained from the director of the department of recreation, parks and cultural activities, or his designee, to use a metal detector on city property to locate and recover a specific item of personal property which has been lost by the person requesting the permission.

(c) Notwithstanding the prohibitions in subsections (a) (2), permission to dig on or excavate specific city property may be granted by the city manager, after review of and favorable recommendation on the request by the city archaeologist. Any objects found as a result of such permitted digging or excavation shall remain the property of the city. Any person receiving permission under this subsection shall, at the completion of the work, restore the city property to its previous condition.

(d) This section shall not apply to activities conducted by city employees during the course of their duties.

(e) Any person violating this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class three misdemeanor. Each day that a violation continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense.