Protecting Native American Burial Sites and Cultural Resources
This new law strengthens the protection of Native American burial sites and cultural resources discovered during federal construction projects. It ensures faster recovery and reburial of remains, and increases the role of Native American tribes in this process. The aim is to respect the cultural and religious heritage of indigenous communities.
Key points
Faster Recovery and Reburial: The act sets a 45-day deadline for recovering cultural resources after discovery and requires completion before construction begins if sites are known in advance.
Increased Tribal Role: Tribes can take responsibility for recovery and reburial, and hire their own monitors during construction, with federal cost coverage.
Information Confidentiality: Information about burial sites and cultural resources will be confidential to prevent unauthorized excavation and vandalism.
Land Conveyance Option: The federal government can convey land to Native American tribes for use as cemeteries or reburial areas.
Expired
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