
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 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'.''
