16 U.S.C. § 470aa : US Code - Section 470AA: Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

Search 16 U.S.C. § 470aa : US Code - Section 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.