BLM will analyze the potential for paleontological resources and do the following:
Develop a sensitivity map for paleontological resources and require screening for all proposed activities against potential for the project to impact vertebrate fossils or noteworthy occurrences of invertebrate or plant fossils.
Allocate all lands within the area to Paleontological Sensitivity Class 1, 2, 3, or 4. Formal descriptions of these classes are given in Management Decisions--Paleontological Resources, and Land Use Allocations.
When evaluating proposed actions on public lands, apply the following goals and objectives:
Identify areas and geological units (e.g., formations, members) containing paleontological resources.
Evaluate the potential of these areas to contain vertebrate fossils or noteworthy invertebrate or plant fossils.
Develop management recommendations (including mitigation measures in specific locations) to promote the scientific, educational, and recreational uses of fossils on public lands.
The BLM will include paleontological resources in its cultural resources public education programs. These programs will provide information on procedures to be followed if fossilized items are found; types of fossils that cannot be collected without an applicable permit; and penalties for removing fossilized items from BLM-administered lands without a permit.
A records search for paleontological resources will be conducted on all land use actions as appropriate. Surveys prior to, or monitoring during, ground-disturbing land uses will be conducted as necessary to protect significant paleontological values.
Newly identified vertebrate localities will be evaluated to assess their importance and the potential threat of loss. These findings will be used to determine and implement an adequate monitoring program.