FOSSIL COLLECTING ON NPS AND BLM LANDS PERMIT STIPULATIONS

(Additional conditions and stipulations are attached)

1. This permit is subject to all applicable provisions of pertinent regulation (43 CFR 2920; 43 CFR Part 7) which govern the use of this permit.

2. This permit is issued for the period specified. It is subject to suspension or revocation, for management purposes or for cause, at the discretion of the State Director (SD), upon written notice.

3. Permittees may request permit extensions, in writing, at any time prior to expiration of the term of the permit, specifying a limited, definite amount of time required to complete permitted work.

4. Any correspondence about this permit or work conducted under its authority must cite the permit number. Any publication of results of work conducted under the authority of this permit must cite both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the permit number.

5. Other institutions may be engaged in paleontological research in the general area covered by this permit, and in the event a conflict over primacy to a site or area arises, the parties concerned are responsible for resolving such situations.  All unresolved disputes will be decided by the BLM Regional Paleontologist (RP).

6. The BLM, including its employees, shall be held blameless for any and all events, deeds or mishaps, regardless of whether or not they arise from operations under this permit.

7. Such guidance and protection as is consistent with duties of the BLM official in charge of the area will be afforded the permit holder and his/her party.

8. Theft of any artifacts or specimens belonging to the United States Government are subject to investigation and prosecution under the Archaeological Resource Protection Act,16 USC 470 aa-ee, and Theft and Conversion of Government of Property, 18 USC 641.

Permit Conditions

1. All paleontological material collected from BLM administered land under the provisions of this permit remain the property of the United States Government and will be treated as part of the named institution’s collections, subject to that institution’s policies and standards regarding research, access and curation.

2. The BLM will approve the institution/repository where all specimens will be located.  The institution/repository should have a program which supports the type of specimens curated at the described location.

3. This permit is issued for scientific research associated with the mission of institutions of higher learning such as museums, universities, colleges, high schools, and other federal and non-federal government agencies.  Consultation or professional services related to other non-BLM initiated project clearance inventories and/or associated paleontological investigations may not be conducted under authority of this permit.  Such activities require separate permits.

4. This permit is not exclusive in character, and the BLM reserves the right to use, lease, or permit the use of said land for any part thereof for any purpose.  Other institutions may be engaged in paleontological research in the general area covered by this permit, and in the event a conflict over primacy to a site or area arises, the parties concerned are responsible for resolving such situations.  If appropriate, permit holders are encouraged to work together under a single permit.  All unresolved disputes will be decided by the BLM RP.

5. The permit holder will contact the appropriate BLM Field Office Manager (FOM)and/orRP prior to beginning of field work to provide information aboutthe type of work to be conducted.  BLM, at that time, may impose additional conditions necessary to protect and manage the area’s resources and create a safe work environment for the field work party.

6. The permitee or designated representative shall be on site at all times when work is in progress.  A copy of this permit with all conditions and requirements and any additional conditions attached by the BLM FOM or RP, must be in the possession of the on-sightpermitee or designated representative.  Failure to comply with any permit stipulations, requirements or conditions may result in suspension or revocation of the permit.

7. When surface disturbance is expected to exceed 1 square meter, the permit holder must apply for an excavation permit and provide all relevant site specific data for preparation of an environmental assessment.  The necessary environmental documentation required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1964 (NEPA) will be completed by the effected Field Office in cooperation with the Regional Paleontologist and the applicant prior to the issuance of an excavation permit.  Collection of small amounts of sediment is permitted to test for screen washing but it is understood that the permit holder is conducting reconnaissance for future work.  This first season would be used to identify future screen washing locations. 

8. The exploration, disturbance, or excavation of any historic or prehistoric archaeological property, including burial sites and/or human remains on BLM administered land is strictly prohibited.  In the event cultural artifacts (including human remains) are discovered, the permit holder must immediately notify the nearest BLM office and the site must not be disturbed.

9. The BLM FOM or RP shall have the right to inspect all materials collected during and after completion of field operations.

10. Fossil material collected under this permit may only be exhibited, photographed or otherwise reproduced and studied for scientific or public purposes, including the manufacture and sale or trade of casts by the designated repository.

11. This permit is issued for the period of one year and is subject to suspension or revocation for management purposes or for cause at the discretion of the SD.   

12. Extensions of the permits may be granted.  Requests for extensions must be in writing and should be submitted prior to permit expiration.  The request must specify a realistic estimate of the amount of time required to complete the permitted work and the reason for the extension.

13. The permit holder may request a review, in writing, of any disputed decision regarding denial of a permit application, inclusion of specific requirements or conditions, and modification, suspension or revocation of a permit.

14. The BLM, including its employees, shall be held blameless for any and all events, deeds or mishaps, regardless of whether or not they arise from operations under this permit.

15. All costs shall be borne by the permittee. 

16. Any publication resulting from work conducted under the authority of this permit, correspondence about the permit, and public outreach documents developed (including electronic outreach) must cite both the BLM and the number of theassigned permit.

Resource Protection

1.      Vehicular activity shall be restricted to existing roads and trails unless otherwise authorized by the BLM FOM or RP.  Permit holdersare responsible for knowing the stipulations; requirements and conditions of their permit, as well as any other rules and regulations pertaining to BLM administered lands and should coordinate with the appropriate BLM Field Office to ensure special management area conditions are met.

2.      Stakes and/or flagging used to identify sites will be removed upon completion of field activity. 

3.      The permit holder shall take adequate precautions to prevent livestock, wildlife and the public from injury from any surface disturbance created by field work.  This may require the permittee or his designee to properly mark any areas which are disturbed or may create a hazard.

4.      Live trees will not be cut or otherwise damaged, unless authorized by the BLM Field Office Manager or his designee.

5.      Camp sites will be at least 300 yards from water.

6.      Proper precaution shall be taken at all times to prevent and suppress fires.  The permit holder will be held responsible for suppression costs of fires on public lands caused through negligence of the permit holder or his/her field party members.

7.      Improvements such as fencing, reservoirs, and other permitted improvements within the permit area will not be disturbed. 

8.      The permit holder will be responsible for cleaning up all camp and work sites before leaving the area.  Caution will be taken to prevent littering and pollution on public lands under permit to include adjoining properties.  Refuse will be carried out and deposited in approved disposal sites.

9.      The BLM reserves the right, given due cause, to terminate this permit at any time.  The permit holder will not be released from requirements of this permit until all outstanding obligations have been satisfied, whether or not the term of the permit has expired.

10.This permit covers BLM administered lands under the jurisdiction of the Farmington and Rio Puerco Field Offices.  BLM’s Farmington Field Office is located at 1235 La Plata Highway, Farmington, New Mexico, 87401.  The phone number is (505) 599-8900.   Please contact Environmental Protection Assistant Sherrie Landon, Outdoor Recreation Planner Rich Simmons, Outdoor Recreation Planner Jackie Neckels and Archaeologist Jim Copeland in the Farmington Area. For BLM administered lands under the jurisdiction of the Rio Puerco Field Office please contact (RP) Pat Hester at (505) 761-8786.  

Submission of Reports

An annual report with 1 hard copy and 1 electronic format will be submitted to the RP at the end of this project.   For ongoing projects, a summary report will be submitted by December 31ST, of each year.   The RP will forward to the appropriate field offices.   The following information will be provided to BLM for the purpose of resource management only.

1. Identification of the specific Paleontological permit the work was performed under.

2. The start and finish dates of field work (field season).

3. A short description of the areas examined, with location indicated by UTM coordinates, identification of appropriate USGS 7.5 topographical map and the datum used to record Ground Positioning System data specified. 

4. An estimate of acres surveyed during the field season. 

5. BLM locality forms or museum forms with comparable information will be submitted. 

6. A geologic formation name and time-reference.

7. A completed resource inventory record will be sent to the appropriateFOM for each occurrence collected, with a tentative identification or evaluation.  The resource inventory record will be sent in an electronic format (Excel preferred) by e-mail, CD or floppy disk and will include:

1.  a brief description of the work completed, any new information gained during the field season,
2. areas where paleontological resources appear to be especially noteworthy,
3. areas where these resources appear to be threatened
4. recommendations for management of fossil resources that remains uncollected.

8. If additional field work in the area is planned in succeeding years, identify objectives and areas of interest.

9. Material collected under this permit will be deposited at the designated repository withinone year after collection. Material collected may be loaned for research depending upon repositories guidelines.  See the conditions set forth in Permit Conditions #2.

10. At least two copies of all published journal articles (reprints), other published or unpublished reports and manuscripts resulting from work conducted under this permit shall be filed with the RP.  Electronic versions, if available, of articles and publications may be submitted in lieu of hard copies.  The RP will ensure the appropriate field office is aware of the publications and forward relevant information. 

11. Upon request, all field notes, records, photographs, and other data related to this permit shall be made accessible to the BLM.  This information is for resource management purposes only.

12. In the event activities in the field or discoveries made are deemed newsworthy, the permitee or his designee will contact the appropriate BLM Field Office so that BLM’s External Affairs representative may be notified and assist in the coordination of any broadcast or publication.

Please feel free to contact Regional Paleontologist Pat Hester, at (505) 761-8786, at anytime, with any questions.