Posession or use of side scan sonar is illegal in the Land Between the Lakes

As a regular camper there, I was a little bit stunned when I read it.

The exact quote is:

"Pursuant to the provisions of 16 U.S.C. and Title 36 C.F.R. — the following acts or omissions are prohibited on lands and waters within the legislative jurisdiction of the USDA Forest Service, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. ...
Violation of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
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7. Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, or other metal detecting device, or sub bottom profiler. 36 CFR 261.53 (f)"

Link to the actual page

I've sent them an email asking for clarification.

I'm betting it's referring to any "lake/pond" within the borders of LBL ... and not any part of KY or Barkley lakes that border it. Probably to keep "treasure hunters" from digging for artifacts, though I'm not sure why SI would enter into the picture ... unless they think someone might go diving in one of the lakes/ponds to retrieve such artifacts.

I'm wondering, too ... that if SI use is prohibited, then why isn't DI ?? DI sonar angles are only slightly shorter than SI sonar angles, and give nearly the same quality image.

It will be interesting to know what their reasoning was, for including SI in the prohibition rule ... or if they actually meant GPR (ground penetrating radar) and not "side scan sonar".

... cp :kewl

They have no control over the lakes. It is for treasure hunters in the ponds and lakes within

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Originally Posted by buffalo13

They have no control over the lakes. It is for treasure hunters in the ponds and lakes within

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I'm sure that is the intent, but as it is written it would apply to fishermen camping in the LBL.

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Originally Posted by CatFan

I'm sure that is the intent, but as it is written it would apply to fishermen camping in the LBL.

Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, or other metal detecting device, or sub bottom profiler. 36 CFR 261.53 (f)"

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You're right CatFan... That word " Possessing" is the kicker.

Energy Lake and Hillmans campground would be an issue if they wanted to push it.

I probably shouldn't get involved in this discussion, because I'm not a tech guy. It looks like the items listed, except what they're calling side scan sonar, are used to detect metal on land. Could they be referring to ground penetrating sonar?

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Originally Posted by kyjohn

I probably shouldn't get involved in this discussion, because I'm not a tech guy. It looks like the items listed, except what they're calling side scan sonar, are used to detect metal on land. Could they be referring to ground penetrating sonar?

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The last item, the sub bottom profiler is also a type of sonar. My thought is that the intent was to prevent artifact hunting, and the rules have either been overtaken by technology or created by people who don't even understand that fishing boats have that equipment.

Curiously, though I've gotten very quick responses from LBL in the past, I haven't gotten an answer to this question yet.

I do know the "possession" part is enforced. I am a detectorist and I was told by another that he and another fellow were in the LBL with their detectors locked in their car when they were approached by Park Personnel and had their detectors confiscated. This was when the TVA ran the place and they had to go to Nashville to get them back.

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Originally Posted by Clint

I do know the "possession" part is enforced. I am a detectorist and I was told by another that he and another fellow were in the LBL with their detectors locked in their car when they were approached by Park Personnel and had their detectors confiscated. This was when the TVA ran the place and they had to go to Nashville to get them back.

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I'm curious! Why on earth does the Government care if you guys use metal detectors at LBL? Maybe they have something hidden there that they don't want you to find ... like a flying saucer or something....Just Sayin'

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Originally Posted by kyjohn

I'm curious! Why on earth does the Government care if you guys use metal detectors at LBL? Maybe they have something hidden there that they don't want you to find ... like a flying saucer or something....Just Sayin'

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When they took the land for the LBL they displaced many families. There are many homesteads in the woods. They are trying to keep folks from going in and digging up the artifacts and destroying the area. The idea is preposterous, because when a person digs with a detector he/she digs very specific holes doing very little or no damage. There are homesteads in the LBL where treasure hunters went in and dug dozens of holes usually about 6 feet across and 3 to 4 feet deep looking for who knows what.

As an aside if you want to look into the dark history of the making of the lakes and the LBL start at the following website. It was an unpleasant time in our history.

Between The Rivers

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Originally Posted by Clint

When they took the land for the LBL they displaced many families. There are many homesteads in the woods. They are trying to keep folks from going in and digging up the artifacts and destroying the area. The idea is preposterous, because when a person digs with a detector he/she digs very specific holes doing very little or no damage. There are homesteads in the LBL where treasure hunters went in and dug dozens of holes usually about 6 feet across and 3 to 4 feet deep looking for who knows what.

As an aside if you want to look into the dark history of the making of the lakes and the LBL start at the following website. It was an unpleasant time in our history.

Between The Rivers

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Reading that will make put a lump in your throat. But for the grace of god there go I.