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Figure 2. Unsightly drill holes mar a classic exposure of hummocky
cross-stratified sandstone in the Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation of mouth of Gentile Wash, near Helper, Utah, USA. The current property
Tuscher Canyon, near Green River, Utah. Credit: D. Stolz.
have to take a number and wait your turn
to see these outcrops!
These Cretaceous outcrops are on private
property; access now requires a request
submitted 30 days in advance and subse-
quent written permission. Recently, a
group with students parked unauthorized
vehicles on the property. When asked by
an agent of the owner if they had permis-
sion to be on the property, the group said
that they were associated with a local state
university (an unverifiable claim that later
put some local universities under scrutiny)
and falsely claimed permission to access
the outcrops. Although many visitors are
well-intended educational groups, contin-
ued unauthorized access could jeopardize
access for all of us in the future.
LOOKING FORWARD
As GSA continues to look at issues of
both geoheritage and ethics, it is important
that our society helps educate the member-
ship on field conduct that is in the best
interest of our whole community. We make
three specific recommendations:
1. Act responsibly, remediate sites, and
whenever possible leave no trace.
Teach outcrop etiquette to students,
assistants, or volunteers who partici-
pate in fieldwork. Ethical behavior is
paramount, because field-trip leaders,
faculty, and professional scientists are Burek, C.V., and Prosser, C.D., 2008, The history of Van Wagoner, J.C., Mitchum, R.M., Campion,
role models. Unethical behavior could
have serious repercussions, such as
limiting private land access and, in
severe cases, even criminal prosecu-
tion (Foss and Liggett, 2016).
Figure 3. Many students enjoy the Cretaceous out­crop exposures at the
own­er has procedures to accommodate field trips with advance writ-
ten permission.
2. Understand and follow land-use rules
and policies; obtain permission to
access outcrops on private land.
Specialized details of land ownership
can be hard to find. Ways to ascertain
property access include (a) contact
local or published experts who
have previously worked in the area;
(b) query state geological surveys;
(c) check land ownership plat maps;
and (d) consult with government land
managers or local law enforcement
groups. If in doubt, always ask for
permission, because government and
private land owners frequently wel-
come the communication.
3. Uphold high ethical standards for your­
self, and encourage your colleagues to
do the same. As a community, our
good field conduct helps ensure safety,
communication, and continued access
to classic outcrops. There are many
rich localities that we want future
generations to be able to visit for an
enjoyable learning experience.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank John McBride and David Mogk for
their helpful reviews to improve this paper.
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Manuscript received 16 Apr. 2017
Revised manuscript received 15 June 2017
Manuscript accepted 21 June 2017
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