TENDING THE TIMBERS AND ACCESSING THE ANCIENT: NEW PALEONTOLOGICAL PERMITS AND PERCEPTIONS ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS

The United States Forest Service (USFS) is responsible for managing 193 million acres of public land, roughly half of which (~96 million acres) includes Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic sedimentary geology containing paleontological resources. The USFS administers paleontological resources management through three national level paleontologists, assisted by several minerals and geology coordinators at local levels. Non-federal partners (permittees and associated repositories) constitute the primary workforce for paleontological stewardship on National Forests and Grasslands, and permitted activities include collection and research observation involving trace, plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate fossils.

Ensuring timely review, issuance, and oversite of permits is the most important service the USFS provides to the public for the preservation of paleontological resources. The permit forms package was first adopted in 2015. To respond to changing best management practices and new technologies, the USFS cyclically reviews and revises forms. This allows the agency to institute improvements for clarity and adopt novel methods of fossil resource management. The forms used to apply for, conduct, and report fossil-related work on National Forest System lands are being modified and an updated paleontology permit package (FS-2800-22A-D) will be released.

Proposed changes include converting applications and permit forms to field-fillable formats. Other changes are content related, such as resources for generating consistent topographic maps for all permit documents. Permit terms and conditions will be clarified regarding the USFS and permittee shared responsibilities per agency regulations (36 CFR § 291) under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009 (PRPA). Report forms are being changed to more clearly reflect necessary data and increase their utility in managing paleontological resources.

These improvements will provide the USFS and its partners with a better framework for communication through more informative and user-friendly permit functions. Improving our common understanding of the shared responsibilities established by PRPA and USFS regulations will help ensure responsible, cooperative stewardship of paleontological resources on National Forest System lands.