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Paleontological Resources Preservation Act

Introduced: October 2, 2001 Introduced by: McGovern, James P. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 10, 2001
Executive Comment Requested from Interior, USDA.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.
Oct 10, 2001
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
Oct 2, 2001
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Oct 2, 2001
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act - Directs Federal land managers to: (1) manage and protect paleontological resources on Federal land using scientific principles and expertise; (2) develop plans for inventorying, monitoring, and the scientific and educational use of such resources; and (3) establish a program to increase public awareness about the significance of paleontological resources and the need to preserve and provide access to them.

Prohibits a person from collecting a paleontological resource from Federal land without a permit. Authorizes Federal land managers (with the exception of National Park Service managers) to allow casual collecting of abundant invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for scientific, educational, and recreational uses without a permit where not inconsistent with laws governing management of such lands and this Act. Sets forth permit issuance criteria and requirements. Requires any paleontological resource and associated data and records collected under a permit to be deposited in an approved repository.

Prohibits: (1) excavating, removing, or altering a paleontological resource located on Federal lands except in compliance with this Act; (2) exchanging or receiving such a resource that was obtained from Federal lands in violation of Federal law; (3) selling or purchasing a paleontological resource that was obtained from Federal lands; or (4) making or submitting false records, accounts, or identification of any such resources.

Sets forth requirements for the assessment of civil penalties by Federal land managers for violations of any prohibitions contained in regulations or permits issued under this Act. Requires any recovered amounts to be available to such a manager for use: (1) to protect or restore the paleontological resources and sites or to acquire sites with equivalent resources and to protect, monitor, and study the resources and sites; (2) to provide educational materials to the public about paleontological resources and sites; and (3) as a reward.

Requires that information on the nature and specific location of a paleontological resource that requires a permit under this Act or other Federal law be withheld from the public, including under the Freedom of Information Act, except under specified conditions.

What's happening now October 10, 2001

Executive Comment Requested from Interior, USDA.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4