Application and Reports for Paleontological Permits, 43 CFR 49
New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Regular
Approved with change
09/01/2022
08/02/2022
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. Prior to renewal, the agency is requested to consider ways to allow for information related to paleontological research and collection on NPS lands to be submitted either through the Research Permit and Reporting System or through the BLM, Reclamation, and FWS permitting system provided here, depending on the publicâs preference. Prior to renewal, the agency is also requested to consider opportunities to streamline permit requests and related activities that could span multiple departmentsâ or DOI bureausâ lands or other instances where there may be multiple Federal land managers.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2025
36 Months From Approved
1,845
0
0
5,060
0
0
228,876
0
0
The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) was enacted to preserve paleontological resources for current and future generations because these resources are nonrenewable and are an irreplaceable part of Americaâs heritage. PRPA requires that implementation be coordinated between the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture and that DOI and USDA issue regulations as appropriate to carry out the law.
We (DOI) are proposing regulations to implement the PRPA. The proposed rule would preserve, manage, and protect paleontological resources on BLM, NPS, Reclamation, and FWS lands and ensure that these resources are available for current and future generations to enjoy as part of Americaâs national heritage. The rule would address the management, collection, and curation of paleontological resources from Federal lands using scientific principles and expertise, including collection in accordance with permits, curation in an approved repository, maintenance of confidentiality of specific locality data, and authorization of penalties for illegal collecting, damaging, otherwise altering or defacing, or sale of paleontological resources.
Information collected will allow the DOI bureaus to inventory paleontological resources, implement the permitted collection of fossils from the ground, preserve collected fossils in repositories, track and report the location and condition of paleontological resources, implement the civil penalties provisions with due process considerations, and monitor the results of scientific investigations that involve the use of paleontological resources in both the field and in museum collections.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Responding to a Civil Penalty - State Local & Tribal Govt.