Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110

§470aaa–10 Savings Provisions

Title 16 › CHAPTER 1C — PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION › § 470aaa–10

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Keeps existing rules in place and does not add new permit requirements or limits for activities allowed under mining, mineral or geothermal leasing, mineral materials disposal, or related land-management laws. It also does not change rules for reclamation or multiple use of Federal land. It does not require permits for casual collecting of rocks, minerals, invertebrates, or plant fossils that are not protected. It only applies to Federal land and does not affect lawful recovery, collection, or sale of paleontological resources from non-Federal land. It does not reduce any other federal agency’s authority to protect fossils beyond what this chapter says. It does not give private people any new rights, and private citizens may not sue in federal court to enforce this chapter.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §470aaa–10

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to—
(1)invalidate, modify, or impose any additional restrictions or permitting requirements on any activities permitted at any time under the general mining laws, the mineral or geothermal leasing laws, laws providing for minerals materials disposal, or laws providing for the management or regulation of the activities authorized by the aforementioned laws including but not limited to the Federal Land Policy Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701–1784), subchapter 3 of chapter 1007 of title 54, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201–1358) [30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.], and the Organic Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 478, 482, 551);
(2)invalidate, modify, or impose any additional restrictions or permitting requirements on any activities permitted at any time under existing laws and authorities relating to reclamation and multiple uses of Federal land;
(3)apply to, or require a permit for, casual collecting of a rock, mineral, or invertebrate or plant fossil that is not protected under this chapter;
(4)affect any land other than Federal land or affect the lawful recovery, collection, or sale of paleontological resources from land other than Federal land;
(5)alter or diminish the authority of a Federal agency under any other law to provide protection for paleontological resources on Federal land in addition to the protection provided under this chapter; or
(6)create any right, privilege, benefit, or entitlement for any person who is not an officer or employee of the United States acting in that capacity. No person who is not an officer or employee of the United States acting in that capacity shall have standing to file any civil action in a court of the United States to enforce any provision or amendment made by this chapter.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Land Policy Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701–1784), referred to in par. (1), probably means the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, referred to in par. (1), is Pub. L. 95–87, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 445, which is classified generally to chapter 25 (§ 1201 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1201 of Title 30 and Tables. The Organic Administration Act, referred to in par. (1), is the popular name for certain provisions of act June 4, 1897, ch. 2, 30 Stat. 34, under the headings “under the department of the interior.” and “surveying the public lands.”, which are classified to sections 473 to 475, 477, 478, 479 to 482, and 551 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 473 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2014—Par. (1). Pub. L. 113–287, which directed amendment of par. (1) by substituting “subchapter 3 of chapter 1007 of title 54” for “Public Law 94–429 (commonly known as the ‘Mining in the Parks Act’ (16 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.)”, was executed by making the substitution for “Public Law 94–429 (commonly known as the ‘Mining in the Parks Act’) (16 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.)”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 470aaa–10

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110