§ 470. Short title; Congressional finding and
declaration of policy
(a)This
subchapter may be cited as the "National Historic Preservation Act".
(b)The
Congress finds and declares that-
(1)the
spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its
historic heritage;
(2)the
historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a
living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense
of orientation to the American people;
(3)historic
properties significant to the Nation's heritage are being lost or
substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency;
(4)the
preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so
that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational,
economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future
generations of Americans;
(5)in
the face of ever-increasing extensions of urban centers, highways, and
residential, commercial, and industrial developments, the present
governmental and nongovernmental historic preservation programs and
activities are inadequate to insure future generations a genuine
opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the rich heritage of our Nation;
(6)the
increased knowledge of our historic resources, the establishment of better
means of identifying and administering them, and the encouragement of
their preservation will improve the planning and execution of Federal and
federally assisted projects and will assist economic growth and
development; and
(7)although
the major burdens of historic preservation have been borne and major
efforts initiated by private agencies and individuals, and both should
continue to play a vital role, it is nevertheless necessary and
appropriate for the Federal Government to accelerate its historic
preservation programs and activities, to give maximum encouragement to
agencies and individuals undertaking preservation by private means, and to
assist State and local governments and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation in the United States to expand and accelerate their historic
preservation programs and activities.
§ 470-1. Declaration of policy of the Federal
Government
It shall be the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with other
nations and in partnership with the States, local governments, Indian
tribes, and private organizations and individuals to-
(1)use
measures, including financial and technical assistance, to foster conditions
under which our modern society and our prehistoric and historic resources
can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic, and other
requirements of present and future generations;
(2)provide
leadership in the preservation of the prehistoric and historic resources of
the United States and of the international community of nations and in the
administration of the national preservation program in partnership with
States, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiians, and local governments;
(3)administer
federally owned, administered, or controlled prehistoric and historic
resources in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of
present and future generations;
(4)contribute
to the preservation of nonfederally owned prehistoric and historic
resources and give maximum encouragement to organizations and individuals
undertaking preservation by private means;
(5)encourage
the public and private preservation and utilization of all usable elements
of the Nation's historic built environment; and
(6)assist
State and local governments, Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States to
expand and accelerate their historic preservation programs and activities.
§ 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.
§ 470bb. Definitions
As used in this chapter-
(1)The
term "archaeological resource" means any material remains of past human
life or activities which are of archaeological interest, as determined under
uniform regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter. Such regulations
containing such determination shall include, but not be limited to:
pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures
or portions of structures, pit houses, rock paintings, rock carvings,
intaglios, graves, human skeletal materials, or any portion or piece of any
of the foregoing items. Nonfossilized and fossilized paleontological
specimens, or any portion or piece thereof, shall not be considered
archaeological resources, under the regulations under this paragraph, unless
found in archaeological context. No item shall be treated as an
archaeological resource under regulations under this paragraph unless such
item is at least 100 years of age.
(2)The
term "Federal land manager" means, with respect to any public lands, the
Secretary of the department, or the head of any other agency or
instrumentality of the United States, having primary management authority
over such lands. In the case of any public lands or Indian lands with
respect to which no department, agency, or instrumentality has primary
management authority, such term means the Secretary of the Interior. If the
Secretary of the Interior consents, the responsibilities (in whole or in
part) under this chapter of the Secretary of any department (other than the
Department of the Interior) or the head of any other agency or
instrumentality may be delegated to the Secretary of the Interior with
respect to any land managed by such other Secretary or agency head, and in
any such case, the term "Federal land manager" means the Secretary of
the Interior.
(3)The
term "public lands" means-
(A)lands
which are owned and administered by the United States as part of-
(i)the
national park system,
(ii)the
national wildlife refuge system, or
(iii)the
national forest system; and
(B)all
other lands the fee title to which is held by the United States, other
than lands on the Outer Continental Shelf and lands which are under the
jurisdiction of the Smithsonian Institution.
(4)The
term "Indian lands" means lands of Indian tribes, or Indian individuals,
which are either held in trust by the United States or subject to a
restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, except for any
subsurface interests in lands not owned or controlled by an Indian tribe or
an Indian individual.
(5)The
term "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or
regional or village corporation as defined in, or established pursuant to,
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85
Stat. 688) [43
U.S.C. 1601
et seq.].
(6)The
term "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust,
institution, association, or any other private entity or any officer,
employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the United States, of any
Indian tribe, or of any State or political subdivision thereof.
(7)The
term "State" means any of the fifty States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
§ 470cc. Excavation and removal
(a)Application
for permit
Any person may apply to the Federal land manager for a permit to
excavate or remove any archaeological resource located on public
lands or Indian lands and to carry out activities associated with
such excavation or removal. The application shall be required, under
uniform regulations under this chapter, to contain such information
as the Federal land manager deems necessary, including information
concerning the time, scope, and location and specific purpose of the
proposed work.
(b)Determinations
by Federal land manager prerequisite to issuance of permit
A permit may be issued pursuant to an application under subsection
(a) of this section if the Federal land manager determines, pursuant
to uniform regulations under this chapter, that-
(1)the
applicant is qualified, to carry out the permitted activity,
(2)the
activity is undertaken for the purpose of furthering archaeological
knowledge in the public interest,
(3)the
archaeological resources which are excavated or removed from public
lands will remain the property of the United States, and such
resources and copies of associated archaeological records and data
will be preserved by a suitable university, museum, or other
scientific or educational institution, and
(4)the
activity pursuant to such permit is not inconsistent with any
management plan applicable to the public lands concerned.
(c)Notification
to Indian tribes of possible harm to or destruction of sites having
religious or cultural importance
If a permit issued under this section may result in harm to, or
destruction of, any religious or cultural site, as determined by the
Federal land manager, before issuing such permit, the Federal land
manager shall notify any Indian tribe which may consider the site as
having religious or cultural importance. Such notice shall not be
deemed a disclosure to the public for purposes of section 470hh
of this title.
(d)Terms
and conditions of permit
Any permit under this section shall contain such terms and
conditions, pursuant to uniform regulations promulgated under this
chapter, as the Federal land manager concerned deems necessary to
carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(e)Identification
of individuals responsible for complying with permit terms and
conditions and other applicable laws
Each permit under this section shall identify the individual who
shall be responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of
the permit and for otherwise complying with this chapter and other
law applicable to the permitted activity.
(f)Suspension
or revocation of permits; grounds
Any permit issued under this section may be suspended by the Federal
land manager upon his determination that the permittee has violated
any provision of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 470ee
of this title. Any such permit may be revoked by such Federal land
manager upon assessment of a civil penalty under section 470ff
of this title against the permittee or upon the permittee's
conviction under section 470ee
of this title.
(g)Excavation
or removal by Indian tribes or tribe members; excavation or removal of
resources located on Indian lands
(1)No
permit shall be required under this section or under the Act of June
8, 1906 (16
U.S.C. 431),
for the excavation or removal by any Indian tribe or member thereof
of any archaeological resource located on Indian lands of such
Indian tribe, except that in the absence of tribal law regulating
the excavation or removal of archaeological resources on Indian
lands, an individual tribal member shall be required to obtain a
permit under this section.
(2)In
the case of any permits for the excavation or removal of any
archaelogical resource located on Indian lands, the permit may be
granted only after obtaining the consent of the Indian or Indian
tribe owning or having jurisdiction over such lands. The permit
shall include such terms and conditions as may be requested by such
Indian or Indian tribe.
(h)Permits
issued under Antiquities Act of 1906
(1)No
permit or other permission shall be required under the Act of June
8, 1906 (16
U.S.C. 431-433), for any activity for which a permit is issued
under this section.
(2)Any
permit issued under the Act of June 8, 1906 [16
U.S.C. 431-433], shall remain in effect according to its terms and
conditions following the enactment of this chapter. No permit under
this chapter shall be required to carry out any activity under a
permit issued under the Act of June 8, 1906, before October 31,
1979, which remains in effect as provided in this paragraph, and
nothing in this chapter shall modify or affect any such permit.
(i)Compliance
with provisions relating to undertakings on property listed in the
National Register not required
Issuance of a permit in accordance with this section and applicable
regulations shall not require compliance with section 470f
of this title.
(j)Issuance
of permits to State Governors for archaeological activities on behalf
of States or their educational institutions
Upon the written request of the Governor of any State, the Federal
land manager shall issue a permit, subject to the provisions of
subsections (b)(3), (b)(4), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) of this
section for the purpose of conducting archaeological research,
excavation, removal, and curation, on behalf of the State or its
educational institutions, to such Governor or to such designee as
the Governor deems qualified to carry out the intent of this
chapter.
§ 470dd. Custody of archaeological resources
The Secretary of the Interior may promulgate regulations providing
for-
(1)the
exchange, where appropriate, between suitable universities, museums,
or other scientific or educational institutions, of archaeological
resources removed from public lands and Indian lands pursuant to this
chapter, and
(2)the
ultimate disposition of such resources and other resources removed
pursuant to the Act of June 27, 1960 (16
U.S.C. 469-469c) [16
U.S.C. 469-469c-1] or the Act of June 8, 1906 (16
U.S.C. 431-433).
Any exchange or ultimate disposition under such regulation of
archaeological resources excavated or removed from Indian lands shall
be subject to the consent of the Indian or Indian tribe which owns or
has jurisdiction over such lands. Following promulgation of
regulations under this section, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, such regulations shall govern the disposition of archaeological
resources removed from public lands and Indian lands pursuant to this
chapter.
§ 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.
§ 470ff. Civil penalties
(a)Assessment
by Federal land manager
(1)Any
person who violates any prohibition contained in an applicable
regulation or permit issued under this chapter may be assessed
a civil penalty by the Federal land manager concerned. No
penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless such
person is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with
respect to such violation. Each violation shall be a separate
offense. Any such civil penalty may be remitted or mitigated
by the Federal land manager concerned.
(2)The
amount of such penalty shall be determined under regulations
promulgated pursuant to this chapter, taking into account, in
addition to other factors-
(A)the
archaeological or commercial value of the archaeological
resource involved, and
(B)the
cost of restoration and repair of the resource and the
archaeological site involved.
Such regulations shall provide that, in the case of a second
or subsequent violation by any person, the amount of such
civil penalty may be double the amount which would have been
assessed if such violation were the first violation by such
person. The amount of any penalty assessed under this
subsection for any violation shall not exceed an amount
equal to double the cost of restoration and repair of
resources and archaeological sites damaged and double the
fair market value of resources destroyed or not recovered.
(3)No
penalty shall be assessed under this section for the removal
of arrowheads located on the surface of the ground.
(b)Judicial
review of assessed penalties; collection of unpaid assessments
(1)Any
person aggrieved by an order assessing a civil penalty under
subsection (a) of this section may file a petition for
judicial review of such order with the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia or for any other district
in which such a person resides or transacts business. Such a
petition may only be filed within the 30-day period beginning
on the date the order making such assessment was issued. The
court shall hear such action on the record made before the
Federal land manager and shall sustain his action if it is
supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as
a whole.
(2)If
any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty-
(A)after
the order making the assessment has become a final order and
such person has not filed a petition for judicial review of
the order in accordance with paragraph (1), or
(B)after
a court in an action brought under paragraph (1) has entered
a final judgment upholding the assessment of a civil
penalty,
the Federal land managers may request the Attorney General
to institute a civil action in a district court of the
United States for any district in which such person is
found, resides, or transacts business to collect the penalty
and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide
any such action. In such action, the validity and amount of
such penalty shall not be subject to review.
(c)Hearings
Hearings held during proceedings for the assessment of civil
penalties authorized by subsection (a) of this section shall
be conducted in accordance with section 554
of title 5.
The Federal land manager may issue subpenas for the attendance
and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant
papers, books, and documents, and administer oaths. Witnesses
summoned shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid
to witnesses in the courts of the United States. In case of
contumacy or refusal to obey a subpena served upon any person
pursuant to this paragraph, the district court of the United
States for any district in which such person is found or
resides or transacts business, upon application by the United
States and after notice to such person, shall have
jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear
and give testimony before the Federal land manager or to
appear and produce documents before the Federal land manager,
or both, and any failure to obey such order of the court may
be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
§ 470gg. Enforcement
(a)Rewards
Upon the certification of the Federal land manager concerned,
the Secretary of the Treasury is directed to pay from
penalties and fines collected under sections 470ee
and 470ff
of this title an amount equal to one-half of such penalty or
fine, but not to exceed $500, to any person who furnishes
information which leads to the finding of a civil violation,
or the conviction of criminal violation, with respect to which
such penalty or fine was paid. If several persons provided
such information, such amount shall be divided among such
persons. No officer or employee of the United States or of any
State or local government who furnishes information or renders
service in the performance of his official duties shall be
eligible for payment under this subsection.
(b)Forfeitures
All archaeological resources with respect to which a violation
of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 470ee
of this title occurred and which are in the possession of any
person, and all vehicles and equipment of any person which
were used in connection with such violation, may be (in the
discretion of the court or administrative law judge, as the
case may be) subject to forfeiture to the United States
upon-
(1)such
person's conviction of such violation under section 470ee
of this title,
(2)assessment
of a civil penalty against such person under section 470ff
of this title with respect to such violation, or
(3)a
determination by any court that such archaeological resources,
vehicles, or equipment were involved in such violation.
(c)Disposition
of penalties collected and items forfeited in cases involving
archaeological resources excavated or removed from Indian lands
In cases in which a violation of the prohibition contained in
subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 470ee
of this title involve archaeological resources excavated or
removed from Indian lands, the Federal land manager or the
court, as the case may be, shall provide for the payment to
the Indian or Indian tribe involved of all penalties collected
pursuant to section 470ff
of this title and for the transfer to such Indian or Indian
tribe of all items forfeited under this section.
§ 470hh. Confidentiality of information
concerning nature and location of archaeological resources
(a)Disclosure
of information
Information concerning the nature and location of any
archaeological resource for which the excavation or removal
requires a permit or other permission under this chapter or
under any other provision of Federal law may not be made
available to the public under subchapter II
of chapter 5
of title 5
or under any other provision of law unless the Federal land
manager concerned determines that such disclosure would-
(1)further
the purposes of this chapter or the Act of June 27, 1960 (16
U.S.C. 469-469c) [16
U.S.C. 469-469c-1], and
(2)not
create a risk of harm to such resources or to the site at
which such resources are located.
(b)Request
for disclosure by Governors
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this
section, upon the written request of the Governor of any
State, which request shall state-
(1)the
specific site or area for which information is sought,
(2)the
purpose for which such information is sought,
(3)a
commitment by the Governor to adequately protect the
confidentiality of such information to protect the resource
from commercial exploitation,
the Federal land manager concerned shall provide to the
Governor information concerning the nature and location of
archaeological resources within the State of the requesting
Governor.
§ 470ii. Rules and regulations;
intergovernmental coordination
(a)Promulgation;
effective date
The Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture and Defense and
the Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority,
after consultation with other Federal land managers, Indian
tribes, representatives of concerned State agencies, and after
public notice and hearing, shall promulgate such uniform rules
and regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the
purposes of this chapter. Such rules and regulations may be
promulgated only after consideration of the provisions of the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (92
Stat. 469; 42
U.S.C. 1996
[, 1996a]). Each uniform rule or regulation promulgated
under this chapter shall be submitted on the same calendar day
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United
States Senate and to the Committee on Natural Resources of the
United States House of Representatives, and no such uniform
rule or regulation may take effect before the expiration of a
period of ninety calendar days following the date of its
submission to such Committees.
(b)Federal
land managers' rules
Each Federal land manager shall promulgate such rules and
regulations, consistent with the uniform rules and regulations
under subsection (a) of this section, as may be appropriate
for the carrying out of his functions and authorities under
this chapter.
(c)Federal
land managers' public awareness program of archaeological
resources on public lands and Indian lands
Each Federal land manager shall establish a program to
increase public awareness of the significance of the
archaeological resources located on public lands and Indian
lands and the need to protect such resources.
§ 470jj. Cooperation with private
individuals
The Secretary of the Interior shall take such action as may be
necessary, consistent with the purposes of this chapter, to
foster and improve the communication, cooperation, and exchange
of information between-
(1)private
individuals having collections of archaeological resources and
data which were obtained before the date of the enactment of
this chapter, and
(2)Federal
authorities responsible for the protection of archaeological
resources on the public lands and Indian lands and professional
archaeologists and associations of professional archaeologists.
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable and consistent with the provisions of this chapter,
make efforts to expand the archaeological data base for the
archaeological resources of the United States through increased
cooperation between private individuals referred to in paragraph
(1) and professional archaeologists and archaeological
organizations.
§ 470kk. Savings provisions
(a)Mining,
mineral leasing, reclamation, and other multiple uses
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to repeal, modify,
or impose additional restrictions on the activities permitted
under existing laws and authorities relating to mining,
mineral leasing, reclamation, and other multiple uses of the
public lands.
(b)Private
collections
Nothing in this chapter applies to, or requires a permit for,
the collection for private purposes of any rock, coin, bullet,
or mineral which is not an archaeological resource, as
determined under uniform regulations promulgated under section
470bb(1)
of this title.
(c)Lands
within chapter
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any land
other than public land or Indian land or to affect the lawful
recovery, collection, or sale of archaeological resources from
land other than public land or Indian land.
§ 470ll. Annual report to Congress
As part of the annual report required to be submitted to the
specified committees of the Congress pursuant to section 469a-3(c)
of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall
comprehensively report as a separate component on the activities
carried out under the provisions of this chapter, and he shall
make such recommendations as he deems appropriate as to changes
or improvements needed in the provisions of this chapter. Such
report shall include a brief summary of the actions undertaken
by the Secretary under section 470jj
of this title, relating to cooperation with private individuals.
§ 470mm. Surveying of lands; reporting of
violations
The Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense and
the Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority
shall-
(a)develop
plans for surveying lands under their control to determine the
nature and extent of archeological resources on those lands;
(b)prepare
a schedule for surveying lands that are likely to contain the
most scientifically valuable archeological resources; and
(c)develop
documents for the reporting of suspected violations of this
chapter and establish when and how those documents are to be
completed by officers, employees, and agents of their respective
agencies.