Federal Archeology Program Report to Congress 1994-95

National Park Service; Haas, Daniel; Babbitt, Bruce

This report, called for by the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, assesses the impact of federal projects on the nation's archeological heritage, describing activities and accomplishments in fiscal years 1995 and 1995. The latter legislation, passed in 1979 to counter the rampant looting of sites, calls for federal land managers to issue permits for archeological work, create public awareness programs, undertake comprehensive surveys of their lands, care for collections and records, and document archeological crimes. The extent of an agency's involvement in the federal archeology program depends on its mission. For this report agencies are divided into those that manage land (such as the Bureau of Land Management), those that regulate activities (such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ), and those that oversee development (such as the Federal Highway Administration). Land management agencies, responsible for vast tracts containing hundreds of thousands of sites, have their own archeology programs. However, agencies in charge of managing smaller tracts, which may not have archeologists on staff, have an equal responsibility to preserve sites under their jurisdiction. Development agencies provide financial or technical assistance on lands that they may or may not manage. For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service works with private land owners to foster wise agricultural practices. The Federal Highway Administration, which allocates construction and maintenance funds to state highway departments, is responsible for protecting sites affected by such work. Regulatory agencies such as the Office of Surface Mining and the Minerals Management Service issue federal licenses >and permits for a wide variety of activities, such as petroleum exploration and drilling. This report includes both numerical and narrative data provided by 40 agencies. With any effort of this magnitude, incomplete data affect interpretations and will continue to do so in the future. The numerical information presented herein is a general measure of the federal archeology program rather than a precise calculation. The current government-wide effort to preserve the nation's archeological heritage has taken shape through laws and regulations that extend back to the late 19th century and the Antiquities Act of 1906. Today, federal archeology is an integral part of the national archeology and historic preservation program. As will be seen in this report, there have been successes and shortcomings. Interagency cooperation and support from the professional archeological community, private groups, and the public are all crucial if the successes are to continue—and the shortcomings overcome. The future will depend on the continued dedication and altruism of those who work to preserve our archeological legacy.