I'm glad you posted this, Indy. My brother is an avid collector, so I let him know about this new code change. He doesn't collect arrowheads from lakeshores or seashores, though; he goes out after area farmers have plowed their fields and finds a lot of artifacts--there were several major trading routes in this area, and several major camping sites that are now farmland. You said the new code prohibits collection around waterways; does it do the same on private land?
The state cannot mandate restrictions on private land - at least, not here in Texas (it's a different story out on the Left Coast, but around here we take private property rights very seriously).There is very little plowing in my area anymore, but our reservoirs and rivers are full of artifacts and fossils. No one ever cared if you picked them up, until recently!
I used to believe that, right up until the state started with the "eminent domain" nonsense. Doubtful they'd take farmland, but everything is a bit more shaky now. Thanks for the info, though.
