--> Abstract: Fossil Resources Involving Federal Lands in California, by G. Wilkerson, R. Reynolds, D. Lawler, and B. Nafus; #90958 (1995).

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Abstract: Fossil Resources Involving Federal Lands in California

Gregg Wilkerson, Robert Reynolds, David Lawler, Benjamin Nafus

Paleontologic localities of significant scientific value occur on public lands in California. Some localities on private land are administered by BLM and the Forest Service for their mineral resources. The opportunity to protect these resources through establishment of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern or through cooperative agreements with private institutions and other public agencies is quickly being lost as these localities are vandalized or developed for non-paleontologic purposes. On the other hand, cooperation between government agencies and private institutions have resulted in the preservation and appropriate curation of many paleontologic resources from public lands.

The rich fossil heritage of public and private lands in California has not been widely appreciated or managed as intensively as have similar localities in other states. Governmental agencies have existing procedures for acquiring and protecting many of these localities through cooperative agreements, Recreation and Public Purpose leases or other land tenure adjustments. The Antiquities Act and FLPMA should be amended to extend protection to scientifically important invertebrate and plant fossils.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90958©1995 AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, San Francisco, California