---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 470aaa–3"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "470aaa–3"
heading: "Collection of paleontological resources"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/470aaa-3"
units:
  - "Chapter 1C — Paleontological Resources Preservation"
---

# §470aaa–3. Collection of paleontological resources

- (a) **Permit requirement—**
  - (1) **In general—** Except as provided in this chapter, a [paleontological resource](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4) may not be collected from [Federal land](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=2) without a permit issued under this chapter by the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5).
  - (2) **Casual collecting exception—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) shall allow [casual collecting](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=1) without a permit on [Federal land](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=2) controlled or administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service, where such collection is consistent with the laws governing the management of those [Federal land](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=2)[^1] and this chapter.
  - (3) **Previous permit exception—** Nothing in this section shall affect a valid permit issued prior to March 30, 2009.
- (b) **Criteria for issuance of a permit—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) may issue a permit for the collection of a [paleontological resource](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4) pursuant to an application if the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) determines that—
  - (1) the applicant is qualified to carry out the permitted activity;
  - (2) the permitted activity is undertaken for the purpose of furthering paleontological knowledge or for public education;
  - (3) the permitted activity is consistent with any [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) applicable to the [Federal land](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=2) concerned; and
  - (4) the proposed methods of collecting will not threaten significant natural or cultural resources.
- (c) **Permit specifications—** A permit for the collection of a [paleontological resource](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4) issued under this section shall contain such terms and conditions as the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Every permit shall include requirements that—
  - (1) the [paleontological resource](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4) that is collected from [Federal land](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=2) under the permit will remain the property of the United States;
  - (2) the [paleontological resource](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4) and copies of associated records will be preserved for the public in an approved repository, to be made available for scientific research and public education; and
  - (3) specific locality data will not be released by the permittee or repository without the written permission of the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5).
- (d) **Modification, suspension, and revocation of permits—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) may modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under this section—
    - (A) for resource, safety, or other management considerations; or
    - (B) when there is a [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of term or condition of a permit issued pursuant to this section.
  - (2) The permit shall be revoked if any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) working under the authority of the permit is convicted under [section 470aaa–5 of this title](/usc/16/470aaa–5.md) or is assessed a civil penalty under [section 470aaa–6 of this title](/usc/16/470aaa–6.md).
- (e) **Area closures—** In order to protect paleontological or other resources or to provide for public safety, the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5) may restrict access to or close [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) under the [Secretary](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=5)’s jurisdiction to the collection of [paleontological resources](/usc/16/470aaa.md?p=4).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “lands”.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–11, title VI, § 6304, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1173.)