§312503 Survey and Recovery by Secretary

Summary

When a federal or state agency or a qualified historical or archaeological authority sends a written notice that scientific, prehistoric, historic, or archaeological information may be lost by a federal or federally assisted or licensed project, the Secretary must act if the Secretary decides the information is important and at risk. After giving reasonable notice to the agency that funds or licenses the project, the Secretary must survey and investigate the affected areas and recover and preserve the information, including analyzing it and publishing results. Work must start within 60 days after the notice unless a different time is agreed with the funding or licensing agency. No survey or recovery is required if the head of the agency in charge says it would block emergency work. Unless there is a written agreement to the contrary, the Secretary must pay any person, group, or public entity harmed by construction delays or by temporary loss of use of private or nonfederally owned land.