Julia Brunner
Policy and Regulatory Specialist,
Geologic Resources Division, Lakewood, Colorado

Lindsay McClelland
Geologist, Geologic Resources Division, Washington, D.C.


Back to Chapter 4: Resource Risks

River management and the Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program
By John Wullschleger

Mysterious tadpole die-off in Whiskeytown
By Jennifer Gibson

Water quality–monitoring partnership on the Pedernales
By John Tiff and Brian Carey

Off-road vehicles in Big Cypress to be managed in consideration of natural resources
By Robert V. Sobczak and Antonio J. Pernas

Change in status of lynx and black-tailed prairie dog

Virus responsible for amphibian deaths in parks

Exotic invertebrates spread

Award-Winner Profile - Maintenance Chief Merry Petrossian recognized with award

Ozone standards exceeded in parks

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The U.S. Senate report accompanying the 1999 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act directed the Secretary of the Interior to develop a report assessing the need for a unified federal policy on the collection, storage, and preservation of fossils on federal lands. Congress further directed the Secretary to consider whether current federal policies adequately prevent deterioration and loss of fossils and maximize their availability for scientific study. Eight federal agencies (National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Forest Service, and Smithsonian Institution) went to work on the task.

Despite their contrasting missions, the agencies worked closely to develop a report that explains many of the problems and weaknesses of federal fossil management and proposes a long list of practical solutions. They prepared a background paper and conducted a public hearing in June 1999. Building on this public input, they developed a draft report, which was circulated for public review in November 1999. They then analyzed the public comments and developed the final report, which Secretary Babbitt sent to Congress on 15 May 2000.

In his transmittal letter, the Secretary recommended that Congress enact legislation to strengthen federal fossil management. The report advocates improving fossil assessment, management, and protection through the development of a coordinated approach that addresses seven basic principles.

First, the report states that any fossil collection on federal lands for purposes other than science, education, or (at appropriate sites) recreation is incompatible with the public interest. Citing the overwhelming majority of public comments, the report opposes opening federal lands to commercial collection.

Next, the report acknowledges that fossils on federal lands often deteriorate or are lost through theft, vandalism, and other causes, primarily because of lack of personnel and fiscal resources dedicated to their protection. To combat these problems the report advocates increasing the penalties for fossil theft and damage; improving the education of federal land managers, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and the judiciary; and increasing the number of field personnel.

Noting that paleontological inventories are a vital component of effective management, the report calls for increased emphasis on fossil inventorying, using modern technology and regional approaches across agency lines. It further advocates the use of modern technology to improve curation and access to fossils by the public and amateur and professional paleontologists alike. Finally, the report emphasizes the need for public involvement in the appreciation and stewardship of fossils.

The National Park Service had a large role in shaping the content of the fossil report. It did so through an effective, interdisciplinary NPS team comprising policy and technical staff from the Geologic Resources Division, several parks, the Ranger Activities Division, and the Museum Management Program. Members of the NPS team participated in all of the agencies’ meetings, developed two rough drafts of the report, researched applicable law, contributed significantly to several sections of the final report, and drafted the report’s executive summary and Secretary Babbitt’s transmittal letter.

Although it is not yet known how Congress will react to the final report, the fact that the November draft received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public suggests that the National Park Service’s time and effort in this project were well spent. The report can be viewed on-line at www.doi.gov/fossil/fossilreport.htm.

http://www.nature.nps.gov/YearInReview/yir/yir2000/pages/04_resource_risks/04_04_brunner.html
Last Updated: 06/17/2001