§4306 Prohibited Acts and Criminal Penalties

Summary

You must not damage, change, remove, or harm any "significant cave" on federal land without prior permission from the Secretary. You also must not mess with the plants or animals that move into or out of those caves, enter a cave planning to do these things, or possess, sell, trade, or offer cave items you know or should know were taken from such caves. You also cannot hire or ask others to break these rules. People who lawfully had cave items before November 18, 1988 are not covered. Breaking these rules can get you up to 1 year in jail, a federal fine, or both. A second or later offense can lead to up to 3 years in jail, a federal fine, or both.