§ 470aa. — Congressional findings and declaration of purpose.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC470aa]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1B--ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION
Sec. 470aa. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
(a) The Congress finds that--
(1) archaeological resources on public lands and Indian lands
are an accessible and irreplaceable part of the Nation's heritage;
(2) these resources are increasingly endangered because of their
commercial attractiveness;
(3) existing Federal laws do not provide adequate protection to
prevent the loss and destruction of these archaeological resources
and sites resulting from uncontrolled excavations and pillage; and
(4) there is a wealth of archaeological information which has
been legally obtained by private individuals for noncommercial
purposes and which could voluntarily be made available to
professional archaeologists and institutions.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to secure, for the present and
future benefit of the American people, the protection of archaeological
resources and sites which are on public lands and Indian lands, and to
foster increased cooperation and exchange of information between
governmental authorities, the professional archaeological community, and
private individuals having collections of archaeological resources and
data which were obtained before October 31, 1979.
(Pub. L. 96-95, Sec. 2, Oct. 31, 1979, 93 Stat. 721.)
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 96-95 provided that: ``This Act [enacting this
chapter] may be cited as the `Archaeological Resources Protection Act of
1979'.''
