FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        May 15, 2005
CONTACT:   Kirsten Cannon       (702) 515-5057

BLM to Conduct Archaeology Studies of Gold Butte 

Las Vegas –Studies are currently underway to better document the history and prehistory of the 350,000-acre Gold Butte region on public lands in Northern Clark County. The growing popularity and recreational use of the Gold Butte region led the Bureau of Land Management to conduct the studies so determinations can be made to protect these cultural resources. 

Over the next three years, the $1.7 million archaeology studies, funded through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, and conducted by Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. will move through four stages: 
1. By the end of 2006, the overview study will be complete, compiling the current status of information on known prehistoric and historic-era sites and the documented history for the region. 
2. From late 2006 through the first half of 2007, field crews will conduct on-foot surveys of approximately 15 percent of the study area and prepare detailed records of all of the findings.
3. Concurrent with the field studies, project historians will interview local families and preparing oral histories.  The results of the findings will be available for public review in early 2008. 
4. As a final stage, the studies’ results will determine the management strategies and policies that the BLM will apply over the long-term, to preserve and protect the cultural resources in the Gold Butte region.

Noted historians Dr. Ron Reno and Charles Zeier will lead the historical studies.

Throughout the studies, information will be available at www.nv.blm.gov/vegas.

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