013.05.09 Ark. Code R. 003
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
Rule 013.05.09-003 - Rules for the Search Area for the Crater of Diamonds State Park - PD 2205RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING PUBLIC USE OF THE SEARCH AREA OF THE CRATER OF DIAMONDS STATE PARK
The following rules and regulations were formulated with each visitor's safety and welfare in mind and have been established to assure all visitors equal opportunity to enjoy the search area and to enhance the protection of the park's valuable natural resources.
I. DIAMOND SEARCHING EQUIPMENT A.Motor, Battery, and Ladder Restriction - No ladders, motor-operated or battery operated diamond searching equipment may be used on the diamond search areaB.Wheeled Equipment - Wheeled equipment is restricted to hand operated pull or push style conveyance and may not exceed a maximum cargo capacity of six (6) cubic feet (equivalent to a standard sized wheel barrow), limit one device per visitor. Additionally, baby carriages and children's wagons (i.e., "radio flyer") are allowed for transporting children onto the search area.C.Exceptions to Wheels, Motors, and Batteries - Exceptions to this rule shall provide for the utilization of reasonable means of transportation for persons permanently or totally and/or 100 percent disabled (written proof of disability may be required). Reasonable means of transportation will be determined by the park superintendent or his/her representative on a case-by-case basis.D.Other Searching Equipment - All other diamond hunting equipment must be capable of being hand-carried through the Visitor Center and be of such size that it will easily pass through a standard single door opening (32"x81").E.Shade Devices - Tents, umbrellas, tarpaulins, etc., may be erected and must be removed on a daily basis. If erected, these devices must be tied, staked, anchored, or otherwise properly and safely secured to prevent them from becoming a safety concern.F.Equipment Storage - Equipment used for searching must be transported onto and removed from the search area and park property on a daily basis. Exceptions to this policy will be campers storing their own equipment at their campsite on an overnight basis or searchers who rent park provided storage facilities in the mine area. Diamond search equipment rented from the park must be returned on a daily basis.G.Equipment Removal - Any equipment that is not properly stored or removed by the visitor will be considered abandoned and removed from the premises as litter.II. DIAMOND SEARCHING ACTIVITIES A.Boundaries - All searching activity (surface searching, digging, etc.) will be confined to the plowed field. The boundaries of the search area will be clearly marked with yellow boundary markers. Digging, setting up equipment to process ore, or utilizing the area beyond the marked boundaries is strictly prohibited.B.Protection of Trees and Vegetation - Digging under trees and shrubs within fifteen (15) feet of the base of their trunks is strictly prohibited. This regulation applies for all trees and shrubs within the diamond search area as well as those that stand outside of the mine boundary, but have park of their drip line within the boundary area.C."Claims" Prohibited - No area, excavated hole, or portion of the search area may be guarded, claimed, or in any way reserved. Any portion of the field is available to anyone who purchases a ticket to the search area. All park sluices and sorting tables are designed for multiple users and are included in this regulation.III. DIGGING AND EXCAVATION OF HOLES AND TRENCHES A.Angle of Repose - To help prevent cave-ins, any excavation dug to any depth shall be sloped to the angle of repose of the excavated material, but in no case less than 1 1/2 :1 (horizontal:vertical) in all directions. For example, a hole with a vertical depth of four (4) feet should be at least twelve (12) feet wide horizontally at the surface, sloping gradually to the bottom.B.Prevention of Falling Material - All excavated material must be at least two (2) feet from the edge of the hole or trench.C.Tunnel Mining Prohibited - Undercutting or tunneling into the side walls of any excavation, trench, or hole is prohibited.D.Water Hazards - Entering or otherwise occupying any excavation that contains standing or flowing water (regardless of the source) is prohibited until both the water and its source are eliminated.E.Egress from Excavation - Any excavation greater than four (4) feet in depth must have safely constructed earthen steps cut into one bank of the excavation at the angle of repose of the material (that is, the steps must slope gradually from the bottom of the hole to the surface).F.Daily Refill of Excavation - All excavations (holes and trenched) dug by visitors must be refilled with mineral soil to the level of the original surface at the end of each day.G.Safety Priority - Any hole dug in any way considered unsafe by park personnel will be filled at the discretion of authorized park employees.IV. REMOVAL OF ROCKS AND MINERALSA.Limit on Quantity - No more than a sum total equivalent to five (5) gallons of processed concentrate may be taken from the search area per paying customer per day. No exceptions.B.Soil Removal Prohibited - Non-processed lamproite soil (diamond bearing ore that has not been run through screens or sorting devices) may not be removed from the search area. However, souvenir bags of lamproite soil may be purchased in the park gift shop in limited quantities.V. PERSONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS A.Posting of Signs - Posting of signs is prohibited on the search area (or any portion of the park) without permission from the park superintendent.B.Soliciting - Soliciting the sale of diamonds and other gem stones on park property is prohibited.C.Behavior - Riotous, boisterous, threatening, or indecent language or conduct is prohibited.D.Littering - Littering on the search area or any other portion of the park is prohibited. NOTE: The authorization for the searching of diamonds and other minerals at the park, along with the enforcement of rules and regulations is set forth in PD 3040.
Repeated violation of any or all of these rules and regulations will be reason for suspension of searching privileges, written citation, arrest, or all of the aforementioned.
NOTICE: To preserve scenic beauty and ecology, fences and warning signs have not been installed in some park locations. Caution and supervision of your children is required while visiting these areas.
HOURS OF OPERATION OF ALL PARK FACILITIES ARE SUBJECT TO SEASONAL CHANGE. CHECK PARK BULLETIN BOARDS OR AT THE INFORMATION DESK FOR CURRENT OPERATING HOURS.
Related PDs: PD 1050 Hours of Operation
PD 2000 Fees & Charges
PD 3040 Excavations and Unauthorized Searches
013.05.09 Ark. Code R. 003