General Information about Permits

There are three types of BLM permits:

• Survey Permit  - paleontological research and surface collection of fossils that results in the disturbance of less than one square meter of rock or soil.
• Excavation Permit  - Systematic collection of fossils that results in soil or rock disturbance exceeding one square meter in area.
• Consulting Permit  - authorizes the survey and collection of paleontological resources by a consulting paleontologist in anticipation or in conjunction with a land-use action (such as mining, trenching, road-building, or land-tenure adjustment). More information on consulting paleontology.

How do I apply for a BLM paleontological resource use permit?

• Paleontological Resource Use Permit Application
• Paleontological Resource Use Permit Instructions
• Paleontological Resource Use Permit Standard Terms and Conditions
• BLM Locality Form

Click here for specific information for permittees

Who should apply for a permit?

Anyone who intends to survey, collect, disturb, or conduct research on any paleontological resources that are on BLM-administered lands must have a valid paleontological resource use permit . For more information about qualifications and eligibility, please continue to the   "Who needs to apply for a Paleontology Resource Use Permit?" page.

Can I place a mining claim on fossil resources?

Fossilized remains of prehistoric animals have been determined to be surface estate and are not a mineral resource, therefore mining claims may not be placed upon them (see Public Law 84-167).  For mining inquiries please check with the BLM minerals program .

All permitted paleontologists must check in with the appropriate BLM field office before commencing field work.   

• Utah Map with BLM District Boundaries and field offices
• BLM field office paleontology contacts

Information for Permittees:

Museum collections

All fossils and associated notes that are collected under a paleontological resource use permit must be reposited into an approved museum facility.  All permittees must produce an agreement with such a facility before they will be considered eligible for a permit.

• Minimum Standards for Curation Facilities
• Museum Facility Receipt for Collections

Annual Reports

All permittees must file an annual report by December 31 of each calendar year.  A separate annual report must be filed for each permit that a permittee holds.  The report should have the following information:

• BLM-Utah Annual Report Cover Sheet or BLM-Utah Consulting Report Cover Sheet
• Narrative summary of work conducted in the past year
• Museum Facility Receipt for Collections
• BLM Locality Form

If no field work was conducted during the calendar year an Annual Report Cover Sheet must be submitted, but all other documents may be omitted.

BLM guidance

• Manual 8270 - Paleontological Resource Management
• Handbook H8270 - Paleontological Resource Management

Information about Consulting Paleontology: 

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) require that scientifically significant paleontological resources on BLM-administered lands be managed and preserved.

Do we need to do a paleontological survey before digging into the ground?

• Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC)
• Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) - Guidance

Where can we find a consulting paleontologist?

• Active Consulting Paleo Permits in the State of Utah 

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Do I need a permit for State lands?

The State of Utah and State Institutional Trust Land Administration (SITLA) have specific regulations about both hobby and research collecting.  Contact the Utah Geological Survey (attn. State Paleontologist) for more information.

Contact:  Scott Foss, Regional Paleontologist