THE PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION ACT: LESSONS FOR GEOSCIENTISTS INTERESTED IN AFFECTING PUBLIC POLICY

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology its allied group SAFE have sought to protect fossils on federal land through the enactment of the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act. Communicating the need for and the effects of passage of this proposed legislation to disparate audiences including legislators and the general public has provided a case history in the challenges encountered in articulating geoscience and public lands issues to a wide variety of audiences, and in overcoming misinformation which has been received by these groups. Similarly, the process used to obtain passage of the PRPA in the Senate, and the difficulties encountered in the House are illustrative of strategies that geoscientists can use to secure passage of important legislation.

US federal lands are administered by several different agencies under different mandates. For this reason explanation of the PRPA has included explaining how different types of fossils should be managed on different types of federal lands and how fossils should be managed differently from mineral resources.

A great deal of misinformation about the PRPA concerns how the PRPA would affect amateur paleontologists. Clear explanation of the rights and responsibilities of amateur collectors under current law and under the PRPA has been another critical component to clarify.

Many important mineral resources are found on federal lands. In drafting the PRPA great care was used to ensure that its passage would not interfere with these activities.

Methodologies for the development of successful legislative strategies for geoscience and public lands issues are explored through the case history of the PRPA. Topics dealt with include identifying and recruiting appropriate sponsors and co-sponsors, determining which key lawmakers support is essential, and how to address specific concerns of key lawmakers and affected constituencies.

The challenges faced by the SVP can be instructive for geoscience organizations interested in affecting public policy. The SVP has been involved in teaching its members the importance of public policy, structuring the organization so it can effectively influence public policy, and teaching SVP members how to effectively communicate with audiences different from their usual target audiences.