Paleontological Resources Preservation Act
Key claim: Interior and Agriculture would have to scientifically inventory and protect fossils on federal land, and people generally could not collect them without a permit except for casual personal collecting of common invertebrate and plant fossils.
Abstract
(S320 · 110th Congress) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on federal land, using scientific principles and expertise; and (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and deriving the scientific and educational use of such resources. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to establish a program to increase public awareness about such resources. (Sec. 5) Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from federal land without a permit issued under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to allow casual collecting of a reasonable amount of common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for non-commercial personal uses without a permit on certain federal lands. Recognizes as valid permits issued before enactment of this Act. Sets forth criteria by which the Secretary may issue permits for paleontological resources. Requires that any paleontological resource and associated records collected under a permit be deposited in an approved repository. Allows the Secretary to modify, suspend, or revoke a permit under specified circumstances, including if there is a violation of a term or a condition of a permit. Declares that a permit shall be revoked if any person working under the authority of the permit is convicted of a criminal offense under this Act or assessed a civil penalty under this Act. (Sec. 6) States that the Secretary may enter into agreements with non-federal repositories regarding the curation of paleontological resources, data, and records. (Sec. 7) Prohibits: (1) evacuating, removing, or altering a paleontological resource located on federal lands, except in accordance with this Act; (2) exchanging or receiving a paleontological resource, or selling or purchasing a paleontologica Latest action (2007-02-15): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 43.
Why this matters
Fossils on federal land currently sit in a patchwork of agency rules; a statutory permit-and-penalty regime would standardize how paleontological resources are managed, studied, and enforced. The practical effect falls on amateur collectors (who retain a casual-use carve-out for common invertebrate and plant fossils), academic researchers (who would need permits), and land managers tasked with inventorying resources.