Input On Collections From Lands Administered By The Depa

Documenting, Managing and Preserving DOI Museum Property Housed in Non-Federal Repositories

Input Form - REVISED 5-18-15 Final

Input Form

OMB: 1084-0034

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INPUT ON COLLECTIONS FROM LANDS ADMINISTERED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR THAT ARE
LOCATED AT NON-FEDERAL FACILITIES
OMB CONTROL NUMBER 1084-XXXX,
EXPIRATION DATE: xx/xx/20xx

Since the passage of the Antiquities Act in 1906, universities, museums, and other organizations
have carried out scientific research on lands administered by the Department of the Interior (DOI).
These projects have been invaluable to the public, the advancement of science, and DOI’s
programs. We recognize the vital role of our partners in this area and appreciate their ongoing
efforts to recover, study, and preserve the millions of specimens, artifacts, and associated records
that comprise the DOI museum objects that they hold in trust for all Americans.1
Most of these collections are documented, properly housed, and available for research. However,
others may exist as well—for which documentation is scant, missing, or non-existent. We are
seeking basic information about these unknown “legacy collections” to meet our mandate to
identify, locate, and assess their condition.
We have no intention of relocating collections; the objective is enhanced documentation and
information in support of our mutual goals of preservation and use. We recognize that there may
be little or no specific information to provide to us other than conjecture. However, any information
that you can provide will further our ability to work in partnership with your institution to support our
shared goals. Thank you.
Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Steven Floray at the U.S.
Department of the Interior Museum Program by email [email protected] or
telephone (202) 513-7565.

1DOI

Museum Objects: All artifacts and specimens which were recovered from public lands managed at the time by
the Department, along with the associated project records. Those artifacts, specimens, and archives are established
as Federal property under Federal law, implementing regulations, and Executives Orders. Common law also confers
rights to landowners, including the Federal government, such as ownership of property, resources, and other tangible
assets existing on or originating from those lands, unless those rights were previously relinquished, sold, awarded, or
otherwise reassigned. Also, permits and other agreements for the collection of artifacts and specimens from public
lands managed at the time by the Department further establish Federal ownership.
DOI is not retroactively asserting ownership of all collections that originated on lands that are now managed by DOI,
prior to DOI managing those lands. DOI will not require, nor does it expect any non-Federal repositories to engage in
laborious research to determine the land ownership status for each location where their specimens were collected.
This type of work, if needed, is often done by bureau staff or may be contracted out by a bureau. DOI will be asking
non-Federal Repositories to make a good faith effort to provide information they have available if the repository knows
the collections were made on DOI lands at the time of collection.

Please fill out this form to the best of your ability and skip any questions that are not
applicable or if information is unavailable. Questions marked with an asterisk (*) are
required.

Institution *

Address *

Completed By *

Title *

Email *

Phone *

Official Contact (if different)

Official Contact Title

Official Contact Email

Official Contact Phone

Does your institution hold any artifacts, scientific specimens, other objects, or associated
records generated from projects or activities on DOI-administered lands?
Yes
No
Maybe

Collections Information

You answered "yes" or "maybe" to the previous question of whether your institution holds any
artifacts, scientific specimens, other objects, or associated records generated from projects or
activities on DOI-administered lands. If this is incorrect, you may go back and revise your
answer. Please note which DOI bureaus (either known or suspected):
Please select "Yes," "No," or "Maybe" for all lines.

Yes

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
U.S. Geological Survey
This institution likely has items from DOI-administered lands but we
lack the expertise or resources to assess them

What is the basis for this determination?
Current Curation Agreement

Institutional History

Long-term Loan Agreement

Database or Catalog Records

Project Permit Information

I don't know

Contract for Curation

Other

Memorandum of Understanding

Maybe

What disciplines does your repository curate?
Archaeology

Geology

Archives

History

Art

Paleontology

Biology

Other

Ethnography

BIA Collections

You answered that you know/suspect there are collections associated with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs at your institution. If possible, please estimate the number (or cubic/linear feet) of objects
and associated records from Bureau of Indian Affairs-administered lands, by discipline.
If you do not know, please specify in the comments box.
Number of
Objects
Archaeology
Art
Biology
Ethnography
Geology
History
Paleontology
Comments

BLM Collections

Cubic Feet of
Objects

Lots of
Objects