---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 470gg"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "470gg"
heading: "Enforcement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/470gg"
units:
  - "Chapter 1B — Archaeological Resources Protection"
---

# §470gg. Enforcement

- (a) **Rewards—** Upon the certification of the [Federal land manager](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=2) concerned, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Treasury is directed to pay from penalties and fines collected under sections [470ee](/usc/16/470ee.md) and [470ff](/usc/16/470ff.md) of this title an amount equal to one-half of such penalty or fine, but not to exceed $500, to any [person](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6) who furnishes information which leads to the finding of a civil [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11), or the conviction of criminal [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11), with respect to which such penalty or fine was paid. If several [persons](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6) provided such information, such amount shall be divided among such [persons](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6). No officer or employee of the United States or of any [State](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=7) or local government who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official duties shall be eligible for payment under this subsection.
- (b) **Forfeitures—** All [archaeological resources](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=1) with respect to which a [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of [section 470ee of this title](/usc/16/470ee.md) occurred and which are in the possession of any [person](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6), and all vehicles and equipment of any [person](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6) which were used in connection with such [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11), may be (in the discretion of the court or administrative law judge, as the case may be) subject to forfeiture to the United States upon—
  - (1) such [person](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6)’s conviction of such [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) under [section 470ee of this title](/usc/16/470ee.md),
  - (2) assessment of a civil penalty against such [person](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=6) under [section 470ff of this title](/usc/16/470ff.md) with respect to such [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11), or
  - (3) a determination by any court that such [archaeological resources](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=1), vehicles, or equipment were involved in such [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11).
- (c) **Disposition of penalties collected and items forfeited in cases involving archaeological resources excavated or removed from Indian lands—** In cases in which a [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of the prohibition contained in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of [section 470ee of this title](/usc/16/470ee.md) involve [archaeological resources](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=1) excavated or removed from [Indian lands](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=4), the [Federal land manager](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=2) or the court, as the case may be, shall provide for the payment to the Indian or [Indian tribe](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=5) involved of all penalties collected pursuant to [section 470ff of this title](/usc/16/470ff.md) and for the transfer to such Indian or [Indian tribe](/usc/16/470bb.md?p=5) of all items forfeited under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–95, § 8, Oct. 31, 1979, 93 Stat. 726.)