Prehistoric Resources Historic Resources A cultural resource is anything resulting from human activities. These resources include tools, art, trails, buildings and sites that show evidence of human development. In Nevada, this resource base stretches from the earliest known human habitation dating back at least 10,000 years to the modern developments of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is the mandate of the BLM to inventory, preserve, and interpret these important but fragile, nonrenewable resources on public lands. Cultural resources give us information about historic and prehistoric human cultures - their geographic distribution, their time range, where the people came from, what happened to them, and what they made and did. This information is important because our present attitudes, values, ideas and material culture have been shaped largely by our past. By studying prehistory and history we can appreciate the forces that have operated to bring us where we are. Cultural resources are generally divided into three categories. These are prehistoric resources, historic resources, and traditional cultural properties. There are currently no traditional cultural properties in the Ely district. The objectives of the BLM's cultural resources program are to discover, locate, identify, evaluate and wisely use these sites, districts, buildings, structures and objects for scientific, cultural and educational use by present and future generations. The program includes: Inventory - Inventory on 12 million acres is almost overwhelming. About three percent of these lands have been inventoried. Because of the large amount of land and the limited public funds available, the BLM concentrates its efforts on areas with known cultural values or areas proposed for projects that are likely to disturb the ground surface and thus damage cultural sites Protection and Stabilization - Protection and stabilization work is done on sites that are in danger of deterioration or that pose a threat to public safety. Interpretation (and Public Education) - Interpretation efforts include posting signs explaining sites, publication of study findings, and establishment of interpretive areas such as the Baker Archaeology site near Baker NV, rock art sites and historic mining camps. Protected By Law Prehistoric and historic cultural resources are part of every American's national heritage. But it is a heritage that is being destroyed by intentional and unintentional vandalism and looting. It is estimated that more damage was done to ancient sites in the United States last year than in the previous 600 years. The Congress, on behalf of the American people, has enacted many laws to protect these national treasures. The Antiquities Act of 1906 first provided for the preservation and protection of antiquities on Federal land and established penalties for violation. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and various amendments established a program for preservation of historic properties. The National Trails System Act (1968 and amended in 1996) establishes a national trails system to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoors and historic trails. The Pony Express, through White Pine County, is part of the National Trails System. The 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act establishes a national policy for protection and management of cultural resources. The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 provides for access to and use of sacred sites and objects on Federal lands. The 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act strengthens the Federal Government's legal commitment to protect these resources by establishing stiff penalties such as prison sentences and fines for those found guilty of excavating, removing, transporting, or selling these resources without a permit. An amendment in 1968 mandated Federal Land Management agencies the task of educating the public about archaeological resources.
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