I am passing this information along and asking everyone that reads this to send the TVA an email. Just click on the link below. It is easy, it does not take long and its free!
They need to hear from the metal detecting community. I have provided an example of a letter below. Use it or maybe modify it to your liking but send the TVA an email today!
__________________________________________________ _____________
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has just announced that they are withholding issuing detecting permits until further review. I fear what that means!
Please, everyone send (TVA) them a comment. Even if you never plan to hunt TVA property it could be an awful precedent! Also spread this to any detectorists you know. There is power in numbers, but only if we contact them!
Butch Holcombe, Publisher
American Digger Magazine
www.americandigger.com
Put in subject line:
TVA withholding permits to metal detect
Send something along the lines of:
I have heard that you stopped issuing metal detecting permits. Please reconsider issuing TVA permits for metal detecting at beaches and swimming areas. No harm is done to the plant life, the environment or archaeological sites. Responsible hobby diggers remove trash and harmful items. Items that other visitors could be harmed by if not removed by the metal detectorist such as needles, knifes, unspent bullets, torn metals (i.e. soda cans, pull tabs, nails, tent stakes and such). They often leave an area cleaner than they found it. The hobby is enjoyed by young and old and is a great family activity. An activity allowed for many years, by the TVA.
I encourage TVA to re-establish the metal detecting permit process for detectorist in designated areas (disturbed or with non archaeological/historical interest to area).
Metal detectorists are responsible citizens and often leave the area they are detecting cleaner than they found it. Detectorists also contribute to the local economy in the pursuit of their metal detecting activities.
If the permit process can not be readily re-established, I would ask that TVA seek out and contact local metal detecting clubs and detectorist for their input and comment before making any decision concerning permit changes towards the recreational metal detecting hobby.
Please reply as to why this change has happened?