Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§470gg Enforcement

Title 16 › Chapter 1B— ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION › § 470gg

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a federal land manager certifies a case, the Treasury must pay out rewards from fines collected under sections 470ee and 470ff. The reward is one-half of the fine, but no more than $500. The person must have given information that led to a civil finding or a criminal conviction tied to that fine. If more than one person helped, they split the money. Federal, state, or local officers or employees who gave information or helped as part of their official job cannot get the reward. Archaeological objects, vehicles, or tools used in those violations can be forfeited to the United States if a person is convicted, fined, or a court finds they were involved. If the items were dug up or taken from Indian lands, the fines must be paid to the Indian or tribe and the forfeited items given to that Indian or tribe.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §470gg

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Upon the certification of the Federal land manager concerned, the Secretary of the Treasury is directed to pay from penalties and fines collected under section 470ee and 470ff of this title an amount equal to one-half of such penalty or fine, but not to exceed $500, to any person who furnishes information which leads to the finding of a civil violation, or the conviction of criminal violation, with respect to which such penalty or fine was paid. If several persons provided such information, such amount shall be divided among such persons. No officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official duties shall be eligible for payment under this subsection.

(b)All archaeological resources with respect to which a violation of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 470ee of this title occurred and which are in the possession of any person, and all vehicles and equipment of any person which were used in connection with such violation, may be (in the discretion of the court or administrative law judge, as the case may be) subject to forfeiture to the United States upon—

(1)such person’s conviction of such violation under section 470ee of this title,

(2)assessment of a civil penalty against such person under section 470ff of this title with respect to such violation, or

(3)a determination by any court that such archaeological resources, vehicles, or equipment were involved in such violation.

(c)In cases in which a violation of the prohibition contained in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 470ee of this title involve archaeological resources excavated or removed from Indian lands, the Federal land manager or the court, as the case may be, shall provide for the payment to the Indian or Indian tribe involved of all penalties collected pursuant to section 470ff of this title and for the transfer to such Indian or Indian tribe of all items forfeited under this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 470gg

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60