Us Code § 470aa - Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 470aa — Congressional findings and declaration of purpose, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 470aa. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

(a) The Congress finds that—

(1) archaeological resources on public lands and Indian lands are an accessible and irreplaceable part of the Nation's heritage;

(2) these resources are increasingly endangered because of their commercial attractiveness;

(3) existing Federal laws do not provide adequate protection to prevent the loss and destruction of these archaeological resources and sites resulting from uncontrolled excavations and pillage; and

(4) there is a wealth of archaeological information which has been legally obtained by private individuals for noncommercial purposes and which could voluntarily be made available to professional archaeologists and institutions.


(b) The purpose of this chapter is to secure, for the present and future benefit of the American people, the protection of archaeological resources and sites which are on public lands and Indian lands, and to foster increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities, the professional archaeological community, and private individuals having collections of archaeological resources and data which were obtained before October 31, 1979.

(Pub. L. 96–95, §2, Oct. 31, 1979, 93 Stat. 721.)


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 96–95, §1, Oct. 31, 1979, 93 Stat. 721, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979'."

Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection

Pub. L. 108–208, Mar. 19, 2004, 118 Stat. 558, known as the "Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection Act", provided for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of nationally significant archaeological resources in the Galisteo Basin of New Mexico by designating Galisteo Basin Archaeological Protection Sites and their acreage and provided for addition, deletion or modification of the sites, administration, cooperative agreements, acquisition of land and interests, withdrawal of lands from mining and other public land laws, and construction of the Act.

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 470aa is part of Title 16 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 16 U.S.C. § 470aa. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 470aa

What does United States Code § 470aa cover?

Section 470aa ("Congressional findings and declaration of purpose") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 470aa?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 470aa" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 470aa apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.