Protection of Archaeological Resources

25 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart R
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

25 C.F.R. § 700.801 Purpose.

(a) The regulations in this subpart implement provisions of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa-11) by establishing the uniform definitions, standards, and procedures to be followed by the O.N.H.I.R. New Lands Manager in providing protection for archaeological resources, located on the New Lands. The regulations enable Federal land managers to protect archaeological resources, taking into consideration provisions of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (92 Stat. 469; 43 U.S.C. 1996), through permits authorizing excavation and/or removal of archaeological resources, through civil penalties for unauthorized excavation and/or removal, through provisions for the preservation of archaeological resource collections and data, and through provisions for ensuring confidentiality of information about archaeological resources. (b) The regulations in this part do not impose any new restrictions on activities permitted under other laws, authorities, and regulations relating to mining, mineral leasing, reclamation, and other multiple uses of the public lands.

25 C.F.R. § 700.803 Authority.

The regulations in this part are promulgated pursuant to section 10(b) of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470ii). Section 10(b) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 470ii) provides that each Federal land manager shall promulgate such rules and regulations, consistent with the uniform rules and regulations in this part, as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

25 C.F.R. § 700.805 Definitions.

As used for purposes of this part: (a) Act means the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470-aa-11). (b) Archaeological resource means any material remains of human life or activities which are at least 100 years of age, and which are of archaeological interest. (1) Of archaeological interest means capable of providing scientific or humanistic understandings of past human behavior, cultural adaptation, and related topics through the application of scientific or scholarly techniques such as controlled observation, contextual measurement, controlled collection, analysis, interpretation and explanation. (2) Material remains means physical evidence of human habitation, occupation, use, or activity, including the site, location or context in which such evidence is situated. (3) The following classes of material remains (and illustrative examples), if they are at least 100 years of age, are of archaeological interest and shall be considered archaeological resources unless determined otherwise pursuant to paragraph (a)(4) or (a)(5) of this section. (i) Surface or subsurface structures, shelters, facilities, or features (including, but not limited to, domestic structures, storage structures, cooking structures, ceremonial structures, artificial mounds, earthworks, fortifications, canals, reservoirs, horticultural/agricultural gardens or fields, bedrock mortars, or grinding surfaces, rock alignments, cairns, trails, borrow pits, cooking pits, refuse pits, burial pits, or graves, hearths, kilns, post molds, wall trenches, middens); (ii) Surface or subsurface artifact concentrations or scatters; (iii) Whole or fragmentary tools, implements, containers, weapons, and weapon projectiles, clothing, and ornaments (including, but not limited to pottery and other ceramics, cordage, basketry and other weaving, bottles and other glasseware, bone, ivory, shell, metal, wood, hide, feathers, pigments, and flaked ground or pecked stone); (iv) By products, waste products, or debris resulting from manufacture or use of human-made or natural materials; (v) Organic waste (including, but not limited to vegetal and animal remains, coprolites); (vi) Human remains (including, but not limited to, bone, teeth, mummified flesh, burials, cremations); (vii) Rock carvings, rock paintings, intaglios, and other works of artistic or symbolic representation; (viii) Rockshelters and caves or portions thereof containing any of the above material remains described in this paragraph (a); (ix) All portions of shipwrecks (including, but not limited to, armaments, apparel, tackle, cargo); (x) Any portion or piece of any material remains described in this paragraph (a). (4) The following material remains shall not be considered of archaeological interest, and shall not be considered to be archaeological resources for purposes of the Act and this part, unless found in a direct physical relationship with archaeological resources as defined in this section: (i) Paleontological remains; (ii) Coins, bullets, and unworked minerals and rocks. (5) The Federal Land Manager may determine that certain material remains, in specified areas under the Federal Land Manager's jurisdiction and under specified circumstances, are not or are no longer of archaeological interest and are not to be considered archaeological resources under this part. Any determination made pursuant to this paragraph (a)(5) shall be documented. Such determination shall in no way affect the Federal Land Manager's obligations under other applicable laws or regulations. Prior to making a determination that material remains are not or are no longer archaeological resources, the Federal Land Manager shall consult with the Navajo Nation to obtain their concurrences. (c) Arrowhead means any projectile point which appears to have been designed for use with an arrow. (d) Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation. Reference to approval of other action by the Commissioner will also include approval or other action by another Federal Officer under delegated authority from the Commissioner. (e) Federal Land Manager means: With respect to the New Lands, the Commissioner of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, having primary management authority over such lands, including persons to whom such management authority has been officially delegated. (f) Indian tribe or Tribe means the Navajo Nation. (g) New Lands means the land acquired for the use of relocatees under the authority of Pub. L. 96-305, 25 U.S.C., 640(d)-10. These lands include the 250,000 acres of land acquired by the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission and added to the Navajo Reservation, 150,000 acres of private lands previously owned by the Navajo Nation in fee and taken in trust by the United States pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 640d-10 and up to 35,000 acres of land in the State of New Mexico to be acquired and added to the Navajo Reservation. (h) Office means the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation. (i) Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, institution, association, or any other private entity, or any officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any Indian tribe, or of any State or political subdivision thereof. (j) State means any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. (k) Tribe means the Navajo Nation.

25 C.F.R. § 700.807 Prohibited Acts.

(a) No person may excavate, remove, damage or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on the New Lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit issued under § 700.815 or exempted by § 700.809(b) of this part. (b) No person may sell, purchase, exchange, transport, or receive any archaeological resource, if such resource was excavated or removed in violation of: (1) The prohibitions contained in paragraph (a) of this section; or (2) Any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit in effect under any other provision of Federal law.

25 C.F.R. § 700.809 Permit requirements and exceptions.

(a) Any person proposing to excavate and/or remove archaeological resources from the New Lands, and to carry out activities associated with such excavation and/or removal, shall apply to the Federal Land Manager for a permit for the proposed work, and shall not begin the proposed work until a permit has been issued. The Federal Land Manager may issue a permit to any qualified person, subject to appropriate terms and conditions, provided that the person applying for a permit meets conditions in § 700.815(a) of this part. (b) Exceptions: (1) No permit shall be required under this part for any person conducting activities on the New Lands under other permits leases, licenses, or entitlements for use, when those activities are exclusively for purposes other than the excavation and/or removal of archaeological resources, even though those activities might incidentally result in the disturbance of archaeological resources. General earth-moving excavation conducted under a permit or other authorization shall not be construed to mean excavation and/or removal as used in this part. This exception does not, however, affect the Federal Land Manager's responsibility to comply with other authorities which protect archaeological resources prior to approving permits, leases, licenses or entitlements for use; any excavation and/or removal of archaeological resources required for compliance with those authorities shall be conducted in accordance with the permit requirements of this part. (2) No permit shall be required under this part for any person collecting for private purposes any rock, coin, bullet, or mineral which is not an archaeological resource as defined in this part, provided that such collecting does not result in disturbance of any archaeological resource. (3) No permit shall be required under this part or under section 3 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 432), for the excavation or removal by the Navajo Nation or member thereof of any archaeological resource located on the New Lands, except that in the absence of tribal law regulating the excavation or removal of archaeological resources, an individual tribal member shall be required to obtain a permit under this part; (4) No permit shall be required under this part for any person to carry out any archaeological activity authorized by a permit issued under section 3 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 432), before the enactment of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. Such permit shall remain in effect according to its terms and conditions until expiration. (5) No permit shall be required under section 3 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 432) for any archaeological work for which a permit is issued under this part. (c) Persons carrying out official agency duties under the Federal Land Manager's direction, associated with the management of archaeological resources, need not follow the permit application procedures of § 700.811. However, the Federal Land Manager shall insure that provisions of §§ 700.815 and 700.817 have been met by other documented means and that any official duties which might result in harm to or destruction of any Indian tribal religious or cultural site, as determined by the Federal Land Manager, have been the subject of consideration. (d) Upon the written request of the Governor of any State, on behalf of the State or its educational institutions, the Federal Land Manager with the concurrence of the Navajo Nation, shall issue a permit, subject to the provisions of §§ 700.809(b)(5), 700.815(a) (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7), 700.817, 700.819, 700.823, 700.825(a), to such Governor or to such designee as the Governor deems qualified to carry out the intent of the Act, for purposes of conducting archaeological research, excavating, and/or removing archaeological resources, and safeguarding and preserving any materials and data collected in a university, museum, or other scientific or educational institution approved by the Federal Land Manager. (e) Under other statutory, regulatory, or administrative authorities governing the use of the New Lands, authorizations may be required for activities which do not require a permit under this part. Any person wishing to conduct on the New Lands any activity related to but believed to fall outside the scope of this part should consult with the Federal Land Manager, for the purpose of determining whether any authorization is required, prior to beginning such activities.

25 C.F.R. § 700.811 Application for permits and information collection.

(a) Any person may apply to the appropriate Federal Land Manager for a permit to excavate and/or remove archaeological resources from the New Lands and to carry out activities associated with such excavation and/or removal. (b) Each application for a permit shall include: (1) The nature and extent of the work proposed, including how and why it is proposed to be conducted, proposed time of performance, location maps, and proposed outlet for public written dissemination of the results. (2) The name and address of the individual(s) proposed to be responsible for conducting the work, institutional affiliation, if any, and evidence of education, training and experience in accord with the minimal qualifications listed in § 700.815(a). (3) The name and address of the individual(s), if different from the individual(s) named in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, proposed to be responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of the permit. (4) Evidence of the applicant's ability to initiate, conduct and complete the proposed work, including evidence of logistical support and laboratory facilities. (5) Where the application is for the excavation and/or removal of archaeological resources on the New Lands, the name of the university, museum, or other scientific or educational institution in which the applicant proposes to store copies of records, data, photographs, and other documents derived from the proposed work, and all collections in the event the Indian owners do not wish to take custody or otherwise dispose of the archaeological resources. Applicants shall submit written certification, signed by an authorized official of the institution, of willingness to assume curatorial responsibility for the collections, if applicable, and/or the records, data, photographs, and other documents derived from the proposed work. (c) The Federal Land Manager may require additional information, pertinent to land management responsibilities, to be included in the application for permit and shall so inform the applicant. (d) Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of the information collection under § 700.811 is to meet statutory and administrative requirements in the public interest. The information will be used to assist Federal land managers in determining that applicants for permits are qualified, that the work proposed would further archaeological knowledge, that archaeological resources and associated records and data will be properly preserved, and that the permitted activity would not conflict with the management of the New Lands involved. Response to the information requirement is necessary in order for an applicant to obtain a benefit.

25 C.F.R. § 700.813 Notification to Indian tribes of possible harm to, or destruction of, sites on public lands having religious or cultural importance.

(a) If the issuance of a permit under this part may result in harm to, or destruction of, any Indian tribal religious or cultural site on public lands, as determined by the Federal land manager, at least 30 days before issuing such permit the Federal land manager shall notify any Indian tribe which may consider the site as having religious or cultural importance. Such notice shall not be deemed a disclosure to the public for purposes of section 9 of the Act. (1) Notice by the Federal land manager to any Indian tribe shall be sent to the chief executive officer or other designated official of the tribe. Indian tribes are encouraged to designate a tribal official to be the focal point for any notification and discussion between the tribe and the Federal land manager. (2) The Federal land manager may provide notice to any other Native American group that is known by the Federal land manager to consider sites potentially affected as being of religious or cultural importance. (3) Upon request during the 30-day period, the Federal land manager may meet with official representatives of any Indian tribe or group to discuss their interests, including ways to avoid or mitigate potential harm or destruction such as excluding sites from the permit area. Any mitigation measures which are adopted shall be incorporated into the terms and conditions of the permit under § 700.817. (4) When the Federal land manager determines that a permit applied for under this part must be issued immediately because of an imminent threat or loss or destruction of an archaeological resource, the Federal land manager shall so notify the appropriate tribe. (b)(1) In order to identify sites of religious or cultural importance, the Federal land manager shall seek to identify all Indian tribes having aboriginal or historic ties to the lands under the Federal land manager's jurisdiction and seek to determine, from the chief executive officer or other designated official of any such tribe, the location and nature of specific sites of religious or cultural importance so that such information may be on file for land management purposes. Information on sites eligible for or included in the National Register of Historic Places may be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to section 304 of the Act of October 15, 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470w-3). (2) If the Federal Land Manager becomes aware of a Native American group that is not an Indian tribe as defined in this part but has aboriginal or historic ties to public lands under the Federal land manager's jurisdiction, the Federal land manager may seek to communicate with official representatives of that group to obtain information on sites they may consider to be of religious or cultural importance. (3) The Federal land manager may enter into agreement with any Indian tribe or other Native American group for determining locations for which such tribe or group wishes to receive notice under this section.

25 C.F.R. § 700.815 Issuance of permits.

(a) The Federal land manager may issue a permit, for a specified period of time appropriate to the work to be conducted, upon determining that: (1) The applicant is appropriately qualified, as evidenced by training, education, and/or experience, and possesses demonstrable competence in archaeological theory and methods, and in collecting, handling, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting archaeological data, relative to the type and scope of the work proposed, and also meets the following minimum qualifications: (i) A graduate degree in anthropology or archaeology, or equivalent training and experience; (ii) The demonstrated ability to plan, equip, staff, organize, and supervise activity of the type and scope proposed; (iii) The demonstrated ability to carry research to completion, as evidenced by timely completion of theses, research reports, or similar documents; (iv) Completion of at least 16 months of professional experience and/or specialized training in archaeological field, laboratory, or library research, administration, or management, including at least 4 months experience and/or specialized training in the kind of activity the individual proposes to conduct under authority of the permit; and (v) Applicants proposing to engage in historical archaeology should have at least one year of experience in research concerning archaelogoical resources of the historic period. Applicants proposing to engage in prehistoric archaeology should have had at least one year of experience in research concerning archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. (2) The proposed work is to be undertaken for the purpose of furthering archaeological knowledge in the public interest, which may include but need not be limited to, scientific or scholarly research, and preservation of archaeological data; (3) The proposed work, including time, scope, location, and purpose, is not inconsistent with any management plan or established policy, objectives, or requirements applicable to the management of the New Lands; (4) Where the proposed work consists of archaeological survey and/or data recovery undertaken in accordance with other approved uses of the New Lands, and the proposed work has been agreed to in writing by the Federal Land Manager, pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section shall be deemed satisfied by the prior approval. (5) Written consent has been obtained, for work proposed on the New Lands, from the Indian land owner and the Navajo Nation which is the Indian Tribe having jurisdiction. (6) Evidence is submitted to the Federal Land Manager that any university, museum, or other scientific or educational institution proposed in the application as the repository possesses adequate curatorial capability for safeguarding and preserving the archaeological resources and all associated records; and (7) The applicant has certified that, not later than 90 days after the date the final report is submitted to the Federal Land Manger, the following will be delivered to the appropriate official of the approved university, museum, or other scientific or educational institution, which shall be named in the permit; (i) All artifacts, samples, collections, and copies of records, data, photographs, and other documents resulting from work conducted under the requested permit. (b) When the area of the proposed work would cross jurisdictional boundaries, so that permit applications must be submitted to more than one Federal land manager, the Federal land managers shall coordinate the review and evaluation of applications and the issuance of permits.

25 C.F.R. § 700.817 Terms and conditions of permits.

(a) In all permits issued, the Federal Land Manager shall specify: (1) The nature and extent of work allowed and required under the permit, including the time, duration, scope, location and purpose of the work; (2) The name of the individual(s) responsible for conducting the work and, if different, the name of the individual(s) responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of the permit; (3) The name of any university, museum, or other scientific or educational institution in which any collected materials and data shall be deposited; and (4) Reporting requirements. (b) The Federal Land Manager may specify such terms and conditions as deemed necessary, consistent with this part, to protect public safety and other values and/or resources, to secure work areas to safeguard other legitimate land uses, and to limit activities incidental to work authorized under a permit. (c) The Federal Land Manager shall include in permits issued for archaeological work on the New Lands such terms and conditions as may be requested by the Indian landowner and the Navajo Nation. (d) Initiation of work or other activities under the authority of a permit signifies the permittee's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the permit. (e) The permittee shall not be released from requirements of a permit until all outstanding obligations have been satisfied, whether or not the term of the permit has expired. (f) The permittee may request that the Federal Land Manager extend or modify a permit. (g) The permittee's performance under any permit issued for a period greater than 1 year shall be subject to review by the Federal Land Manager, at least annually.

25 C.F.R. § 700.819 Suspension and revocation of permits.

(a) Suspension or revocation for cause. (1) The Federal Land Manager may suspend a permit issued pursuant to this part upon determining that the permittee has failed to meet any of the terms and conditions of the permit or has violated any prohibition of the Act or § 700.807. The Federal Land Manager shall provide written notice to the permittee of suspension, the cause thereof, and the requirements which must be met before the suspension will be removed. (2) The Federal Land Manager may revoke a permit upon assessment of a civil penalty under § 700.831 upon the permittee's conviction under section 6 of the Act, or upon determining that the permittee has failed after notice under this section to correct the situation which led to suspension of the permit. (b) Suspension or revocation for management purposes. The Federal Land Manager may suspend or revoke a permit without liability to the United States, its agents, or employees when continuation of work under the permit would be in conflict with management requirements not in effect when the permit was issued. The Federal Land Manager shall provide written notice to the permittee stating the nature of and basis for the suspension or revocation.

25 C.F.R. § 700.821 Appeals relating to permits.

Any affected person may appeal permit issuance, denial of permit issuance, suspension, revocation, and terms and conditions of a permit through existing administrative appeal procedures, or through procedures which may be established by the Federal Land Manager pursuant to section 10(b) of the Act and this part.

25 C.F.R. § 700.823 Permit reviews and disputes.

(a) Any affected person disputing the decision of the Federal Land Manager with respect to the issuance or denial of a permit, the inclusion of specific terms and conditions in a permit, or the modification, suspension, or revocation or a permit may request the Federal Land Manager to review the disputed decision and may request a conference to discuss the decision and its basis. (b) Any disputant unsatisfied with the higher level review, and desiring to appeal the decision, pursuant to § 700.821 of this part, should consult with the Federal Land Manager regarding the existence of published appeal procedures. In the absence of published appeal procedures, the review by the head of the Office will constitute the final decision. (c) Any affected person may request a review by the Department of Interior Consulting Archaeologist of any professional issues involved in a permitting decision, such as professional qualifications, research design, or other professional archaeological matters. The Departmental Consulting Archaeologist shall make a final professional recommendation to the head of the Office. The head of the Office will consider the recommendation, but may reject it, in whole or in part, for good cause. This request should be in writing and should state the reasons for the request.

25 C.F.R. § 700.825 Relationship to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Issuance of a permit in accordance with the Act and this part does not constitute an undertaking requiring compliance with section 106 of the Act of October 15, 1996 (16 U.S.C. 470f). However, the mere issuance of such a permit does not excuse the Federal Land Manager from compliance with section 106 where otherwise required.

25 C.F.R. § 700.827 Custody of Archaeological resources.

(a) Archaeological resources excavated or removed from the New Lands remain the property of the Navajo Nation. (b) [Reserved]

25 C.F.R. § 700.829 Determination of archaeological or commercial value and cost of restoration and repair.

(a) Archaeological value. For purposes of this part, the archaeological value of any archaeological resource involved in a violation of the prohibitions in § 700.807 of this part or conditions of a permit issued pursuant to this part shall be the value of the information associated with the archaeological resource. This value shall be appraised in terms of the costs of the retrieval of the scientific information which would have been obtained prior to the violation. These costs may include, but need not be limited to, the cost of preparing a research design, conducting filed work, carrying out laboratory analysis, and preparing reports as would be necessary to realize the information potential. (b) Commercial value. For purposes of this part, the commercial value of any archaeological resource involved in a violation of the prohibitions in § 700.807 of this part or conditions of a permit issued pursuant to this part shall be for its fair market value. Where the violation has resulted in damage to the archaeological resource, the fair market value should be determined using the condition of the archaeological resource prior to the violation to the extent that its prior condition can be ascertained. (c) Cost of restoration and repair. For purposes of this part, the cost of restoration and repair of archaeological resources damages as a result of a violation or prohibitions or conditions pursuant to this part, shall be the sum of the costs already incurred for emergency restoration or repair work, plus those costs projected to be necessary to complete restoration and repair, which may include, but need not be limited to, the costs of the following. (1) Reconstruction of the archaeological resource; (2) Stabilization of the archaeological resource; (3) Ground contour reconstruction and surface stabilization; (4) Research necessary to carry out reconstruction or stabilization; (5) Physical barriers or other protective devices, necessitated by the disturbance of the archaeological resource, to protect it from further disturbance; (6) Examination and analysis of the archaeological resource including recording remaining archaeological information, where necessitated by disturbance, in order to salvage remaining values which cannot be otherwise conserved; (7) Reinterment of human remains in accordance with Pub. L. 101-601, the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act. (8) Preparation of reports relating to any of the above activities.

25 C.F.R. § 700.831 Assessment of civil penalties.

(a) The Federal Land Manager may assess a civil penalty against any person who has violated any prohibition contained in § 700.807 or who has violated any term or condition included in a permit issued in accordance with the Act and this part. (b) Notice of violation. The Federal Land Manager shall serve a notice of violation upon any person believed to be subject to a civil penalty, either in person or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested). The Federal Land Manager shall include in the notice: (1) A concise statement of the facts believed to show a violation; (2) A specific reference to the provision(s) of this part or to a permit issued pursuant to this part allegedly violated; (3) The amount of penalty proposed to be assessed, including any initial proposal to mitigate or remit where appropriate, or a statement that notice of the proposed penalty amount will be served after the damages associated with the alleged violation have been ascertained; (4) Notification of the right to file a petition for relief pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, or to await the Federal Land Manager's notice of assessment, and to request a hearing in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. The notice shall also inform the person of the right to seek judicial review of any final administrative decision assessing a civil penalty. (c) The person served with a notice of violation shall have 45 calendar days from the date of its service (or the date of service of a proposed penalty amount, if later) in which to respond. During this time the person may: (1) Seek informal discussions with the Federal Land Manager; (2) File a petition for relief in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section; (3) Take no action and await the Federal Land Manger's notice of assessment; (4) Accept in writing or by payment the proposed penalty, or any mitigation or remission offered in the notice. Acceptance of the proposed penalty or mitigation or remission shall be deemed a waiver of the notice of assessment and of the right to request a hearing under paragraph (g) of this section. (d) Petition for relief. The person served with a notice of violation may request that no penalty be assessed or that the amount be reduced, by filing a petition for relief with the Federal Land Manager within 45 calendar days of the date of service of the notice of violation (or of a proposed penalty amount, if later.) The petition shall be in writing and signed by the person served with the notice of violation. If the person is a corporation, the petition must be signed by an officer authorized to sign such documents. The petition shall set forth in full the legal or factual basis for the requested relief. (e) Assessment of penalty. (1) The Federal Land Manager shall assess a civil penalty upon expiration of the period for filing a petition for relief, upon completion of review of any petition filed, or upon completion or informal discussions, whichever is later. (2) The Federal Land Manager shall take into consideration all available information, including information provided pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section or furnished upon further request by the Federal Land Manager. (3) If the facts warrant a conclusion that no violation has occurred, the Federal Land Manager shall so notify the person served with a notice of violation, and no penalty shall be assessed. (4) Where the facts warrant a conclusion that a violation has occurred, the Federal Land Manager shall determine a penalty amount in accordance with § 700.831. (f) Notice of assessment. The Federal Land Manager shall notify the person served with a notice of violation of the penalty amount assessed by serving a written notice of assessment, either in person or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested). The Federal Land Manager shall include the following in the notice of assessment. (1) The facts and conclusions from which it was determined that a violation did occur; (2) The basis in § 700.831 for determining the penalty amount assessed and/or any offer to mitigate or remit the penalty; and (3) Notification of the right to request a hearing, including the procedures to be followed, and to seek judicial review of any final administrative decision assessing a civil penalty. (g) Hearings. (1) Except where the right to request a hearing is deemed to have been waived as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section, the person served with a notice of assessment may file a written request for a hearing with the adjudicatory body specified in the notice. The person shall enclose with the request for hearing a copy of the notice of assessment, and shall deliver the request, as specified in the notice of assessment, personally or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested). (2) Failure to deliver a written request for a hearing within 45 days of the date of service of the notice of assessment shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing. (3) Any hearing conducted pursuant to this section shall be held in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554. In any such hearing, the amount of civil penalty assessed shall be determined in accordance with this part, and shall not be limited by the amount assessed by the Federal Land Manager under paragraph (f) of this section of any offer of mitigation or remission made by the Federal Land Manager. (h) Final administrative decision. (1) Where the person served with a notice of violation has accepted the penalty pursuant to paragraph (c)(4) of this section, the notice of violation shall constitute the final administrative decision; (2) Where the person served with a notice of assessment has not filed a timely request for a hearing pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the notice of assessment shall constitute the final administrative decision; (3) Where the person served with a notice of assessment has filed a timely request for hearing pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the decision resulting from the hearing or any applicable administrative appeal therefrom shall constitute the final administrative decision. (i) Payment of penalty. (1) The person assessed a civil penalty shall have 45 calendar days from the date of issuance of the final administrative decision in which to make full payment of the penalty assessed, unless a timely request for appeal has been filed with a U.S. District Court, as provided in section 7(b)(1) of the Act. (2) Upon failure to pay the penalty, the Federal Land Manager may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action to collect the penalty in a U.S. District Court for any district in which the person assessed a civil penalty is found, resides, or transacts business. Where the Federal Land Manager is not represented by the Attorney General, a civil action may be initiated directly by the Federal Land Manager. (j) Other remedies not waived. Assessment of a penalty under this section shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to pursue other available legal or administrative remedies.

25 C.F.R. § 700.833 Civil penalty amounts.

(a) Maximum amount of penalty. (1) Where the person being assessed a civil penalty has not committed any previous violation of any prohibition in § 700.807 or of any term or condition included in a permit issued pursuant to this part, the maximum amount of the penalty shall be the full cost of restoration and repair of archaeological resources damaged plus the commercial value of archaeological resources destroyed or not recovered. (2) Where the person being assessed a civil penalty has committed any previous violation of any prohibition in § 700.807 or of any term or condition included in a permit issued pursuant to this part, the maximum amount of the penalty shall be double the cost of restoration and repair plus double the commercial value of archaeological resources destroyed or not recovered. (3) Violations limited to the removal of arrowheads located on the surface of the ground shall not be subject to the penalties prescribed in this section. (b) Determination of penalty amount, mitigation, and remission. The Federal Land Manager may assess a penalty amount less than the maximum amount of penalty and may offer to mitigate or remit the penalty. (1) Determination of penalty amount and/or a proposal to mitigate or remit the penalty may be based upon any of the following factors. (i) Agreement by the person being assessed a civil penalty to return to the Federal Land Manager and ultimately to the Navajo Nation archaeological resources removed from the New Lands. (ii) Agreement by the person being assessed a civil penalty to assist the Federal Land Manager in activity to preserve, restore, or otherwise contribute to the protection and study of archaeological resources on the New Lands. (iii) Agreement by the person being assessed a civil penalty to provide information which will assist in the detection, prevention, or prosecution of violations of the Act or this part; (iv) Demonstration of hardship or inability to pay, provided that this factor shall only be considered when the person being assessed a civil penalty has not been found to have previously violated the regulations in this part; (v) Determination that the person being assessed a civil penalty did not willfully commit the violation. (vi) Determination that the proposed penalty would constitute excessive punishment under the circumstances. (vii) Determination of other mitigating circumstances appropriate to consideration in reaching a fair and expeditious assessment. (2) The Federal Land Manager shall consult with and consider the interests of the Navajo Nation prior to proposing to mitigate or remit the penalty.

25 C.F.R. § 700.835 Other penalties and rewards.

(a) Section 6 of the Act contains criminal prohibitions and provisions for criminal penalties. Section 8(b) of the Act provides that archaeological resources, vehicles, or equipment involved in a violation may be subject to forfeiture. (b) Section 8(a) of the Act provides for rewards to be made to persons who furnish information which leads to conviction for a criminal violation or to assessment of a civil penalty. The Federal Land Manager may certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that a person is eligible to receive payment. Officers and employees of Federal, State, or tribal government who furnish information or render services in the performance of their official duties, and persons who have provided information under § 700.833(b)(1)(iii) shall not be certified eligible to receive payment of rewards. (c) All civil penalty monies and any item forfeited under the provisions of this section shall be transferred to the Navajo Nation.

25 C.F.R. § 700.837 Confidentiality of archaeological resource information.

The Federal Land Manager shall not make available to the public under subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 of the United States Code or any other provisions of law, information concerning the nature and location of any archaeological resource, with the following exceptions: (a) The Federal Land Manager may make information available, provided that the disclosure will further the purposes of the Act and this part, or the Act of June 27, 1960, as amended (16 U.S.C. 469-469c) without risking harm to the archaeological resource or to the site in which it is located. (b) With the concurrence of the Navajo Nation, the Federal Land Manager shall make information available, when the Governor of any State has submitted to the Federal Land Manager a written request for information concerning the archaeological resources within the requesting Governor's state; provided that the request includes: (1) The specific archaeological resource or area about which information is sought. (2) The purpose for which the information is sought; and (3) The Governor's written commitment to adequately protect the confidentiality of the information.

25 C.F.R. § 700.839 Report.

Each Federal Land Manager, when requested by the Secretary of the Interior, shall submit such information as is necessary to enable the Secretary to comply with section 13 of the Act.

25 C.F.R. § 700.841 Determination of loss or absence of archaeological interest.

(a) Under certain circumstances, a Federal land manager may determine, pursuant to § 700.805(a)(5) of this part, that certain material remains are not or are no longer of archaeological interest, and therefore not to be considered archaeological resources under this part. (b) The Federal land manager may make such a determination if he/she finds that the material remains are not capable of providing scientific or humanistic understandings of past human behavior, cultural adaptation, and related topics. (c) Prior to making a determination that material remains are not or are no longer archaeological resources, the Federal land manager shall ensure that the following procedures are completed. (1) A professional archaeological evaluation of material remains and similar materials within the area under consideration shall be completed, consistent with the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation and with the 36 CFR parts 60, 63, and 65. (2) The principal Office archaeologist or, in the absence of a principal Office archaeologist, the Office Consulting Archaeologist, shall establish whether the material remains under consideration contribute to scientific or humanistic understandings of past human behavior, cultural adaption and related topics. The principal Office archaeologist or the Office Consulting Archaeologist, as appropriate, shall make a recommendation to the Federal land manager concerning these material remains. (d) The Federal land manager shall make the determination based upon the facts established by and the recommendation of the principal Office archaeologist or the Office Consulting Archaeologist, as appropriate, and shall fully document the basis therefor, including consultation with Indian tribes for determinations regarding sites of religious or cultural importance. (e) The Federal land manger shall make public notice of the determination and its limitations, including any permitting requirements, for activities associated with the materials determined not to be archaeological resources for the purposes of this part. (f) Any interested individual may request in writing that the Office Consulting Archaeologist review any final determination by the Federal land manager that certain remains are not, or are no longer, archaeological resources. Two (2) copies of the request should be sent to the Office Consulting Archaeologist, care of Land Use Manager, Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, PO Box KK, Flagstaff, AZ 86002, and should document why the requestor disagrees with the determination of the Federal land manger. The Office Consulting Archaeologist shall review the request, and, if appropriate, shall review the Federal land manager's determination and its supporting documentation. Based upon this review, the Departmental Consulting Archaeologist shall prepare a final professional recommendation, and shall transmit the recommendation and the basis therefor to the head of the bureau for further consideration within 60 days of the receipt of the request. (g) Any determination made pursuant to this section shall in no way affect the Federal land manager's obligation under other applicable laws or regulations.

25 C.F.R. § 700.843 Permitting procedures for Navajo Nation Lands.

(a) Pursuant to the Act and this subpart, the written consent of the Navajo Nation is required. Written consent shall consist of a Navajo Nation permit issued in accordance with the Navajo Nation Code or a resolution of the Navajo Nation Council or delegated committee of that Council. (b) When Indian tribal lands are involved in an application for a permit or a request for extension or modification of a permit, the consent of the Indian tribal government must be obtained. For Indian allotted lands outside reservation boundaries, consent from only the individual landowner is needed. When multiple-owner allotted lands are involved, consent by more than 50 percent of the ownership interest is sufficient. For Indian allotted lands within reservation boundaries, consent must be obtained from the Navajo Nation and the individual landowner(s). (c) The applicant should consult with the Office concerning procedures for obtaining consent from the appropriate Indian tribal authorities and submit the permit application to the Office. The Office shall ensure that consultation with the Navajo Nation or individual Indian landowner regarding terms and conditions of the permit occurs prior to detailed evaluation of the application. Permits shall include terms and conditions requested by the Navajo Nation or Indian landowner pursuant to § 700.817 of this part. (d) The issuance of a permit under this part does not remove the requirement for any other permit by Indian tribal law.

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