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Cultural Resource Management by Luis Cortinas: Federal Statutes

16 U.S.C.A.

16 U.S.C.A. § 3194. Archeological and paleontological sites

Notwithstanding any acreage or boundary limitations contained in this Act with respect to the Cape Krusenstern National Monument, the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, and the Kobuk Valley National Park, the Secretary may designate Federal lands or he may acquire by purchase with the consent of the owner, donation, or exchange any significant archeological or paleontological site in Alaska located outside of the boundaries of such areas and containing resources which are closely associated with any such area. If any such site is so designated or acquired, it shall be included in and managed as part of such area. Not more than seven thousand five hundred acres of land may be designated or acquired under this section for inclusion in any single area. Before designation or acquisition of any property in excess of one hundred acres under the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall--

(1) submit notice of such proposed designation or acquisition to the appropriate committees of the Congress; and

(2) publish notice of such proposed designation or acquisition in the Federal Register.

 

16 U.S.C.A. § 469. Preservation of historical and archeological data threatened by dam construction or alterations of terrain

It is the purpose of sections 469 to 469c-1 of this title to further the policy set forth in sections 461 to 467 of this title, by specifically providing for the preservation of historical and archeological data (including relics and specimens) which might otherwise be irreparably lost or destroyed as the result of (1) flooding, the building of access roads, the erection of workmen's communities, the relocation of railroads and highways, and other alterations of the terrain caused by the construction of a dam by any agency of the United States, or by any private person or corporation holding a license issued by any such agency or (2) any alteration of the terrain caused as a result of any Federal construction project or federally licensed activity or program.

 

16 U.S.C.A. § 470ee. Prohibited acts and criminal penalties

(a) Unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, alteration, or defacement of archaeological resources

No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface, or attempt to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit issued under section 470cc of this title, a permit referred to in section 470cc(h)(2) of this title, or the exemption contained in section 470cc(g)(1) of this title.

(b) Trafficking in archaeological resources the excavation or removal of which was wrongful under Federal law

No person may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange any archaeological resource if such resource was excavated or removed from public lands or Indian lands in violation of--

   (1) the prohibition contained in subsection (a) of this section, or

   (2) any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit in effect under any other provision of Federal law.

(c) Trafficking in interstate or foreign commerce in archaeological resources the excavation, removal, sale, purchase, exchange, transportation or receipt of which was wrongful under State or local law

No person may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, receive, or offer to sell, purchase, or exchange, in interstate or foreign commerce, any archaeological resource excavated, removed, sold, purchased, exchanged, transported, or received in violation of any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit in effect under State or local law.

(d) Penalties: Any person who knowingly violates, or counsels, procures, solicits, or employs any other person to violate, any prohibition contained in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both: Provided, however, That if the commercial or archaeological value of the archaeological resources involved and the cost of restoration and repair of such resources exceeds the sum of $500, such person shall be fined not more than $20,000 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent such violation upon conviction such person shall be fined not more than $100,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(e) Effective date: The prohibitions contained in this section shall take effect on October 31, 1979.

(f) Prospective application: Nothing in subsection (b) (1) of this section shall be deemed applicable to any person with respect to an archaeological resource which was in the lawful possession of such person prior to October 31, 1979.

(g) Removal of arrowheads located on ground surface

Nothing in subsection (d) of this section shall be deemed applicable to any person with respect to the removal of arrowheads located on the surface of the ground.

 

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