[SandwicheGuy]

why haven't you formally reported their existence and challenged the scientific community with your findings?

Becaaaause, unless you have a Ph.D after your name you have no credentials and cannot get a hearing. This phenomena is closely related to the 'Not Invented Here' syndrome. No academic is going to listen to a layman or quote them.

[gardengirl]

Thanks, SandwicheGuy! That sums it up in a nutshell!
Pay no attention to the elephant in the corner!

[contemplator]

"Becaaaause, unless you have a Ph.D after your name you have no credentials and cannot get a hearing...."

History is full of stories about the little guy actually making a difference. Of course, if you have yourself convinced that you can't win and don't even try, then the naysayers have already won without having to lift a finger to justify themselves.

In this case, it sounds like a very small town. Maybe just getting a local reporter to do a little article about some 'mysterious footprints' found in the rocks in a local creekbed would be all that would be needed to get a little attention and at least get the rocks examined and dated.