(a) The regulations in this part are promulgated under 54 U.S.C. 302107 which requires that the Secretary of the Interior issue regulations ensuring that significant prehistoric and historic artifacts and associated records are deposited in an institution with adequate long-term curatorial capabilities. This requirement applies to artifacts and associated records subject to the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), the Reservoir Salvage Act (54 U.S.C. 312501-312508), and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm).

(b) In addition, the regulations in this part are promulgated pursuant to section 5 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 470dd) which gives the Secretary of the Interior discretionary authority to promulgate regulations for the:

(1) Exchange, where appropriate, between suitable universities, museums or other scientific or educational institutions, of archeological resources recovered from public and Indian lands under that Act; and

(2) Ultimate disposition of archeological resources recovered under that Act (16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm), the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C. 320301-320303) or the Reservoir Salvage Act (54 U.S.C. 312501-312508).

(3) It further states that any exchange or ultimate disposition of resources excavated or removed from Indian lands shall be subject to the consent of the Indian or Indian tribe that owns or has jurisdiction over such lands.

[55 FR 37630, Sept. 12, 1990; 55 FR 41639, Oct. 12, 1990, as amended at 87 FR 22457, Apr. 15, 2022]