General Information

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument contains a wealth of paleontological resources ranging in age from Permian to Pleistocene. Documentation and protection of this outstanding faunal and floral record remains one of the highest priorities of Monument management staff. In order to accomplish this huge task, paleontological research within the Monument by non-governmental agencies is strongly encouraged. The Monument also wishes to acknowledge past contributions of researchers towards the current body of knowledge, which even though preliminary in many aspects, still underscores the scientific significance of this region. While research is definitely encouraged, workers who have previously conducted work in the area will find that procedures have recently changed.

Prior to 2000, no special conditions existed for access, group size, etc., other than those previously established for Wilderness Study Areas. This officially changed in February, 2000, with approval of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan. The Management Plan has implications for all users of the Monument, including paleontologists, and plan decisions and other subsequent procedures mandated by the Monument Management Team have affected the way paleontological research is permitted and conducted. Some activities previously allowed, such as use of certain roads, are no longer authorized under the plan. As a result, researchers who are planning to conduct research within the confines of the Monument are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Monument Plan.

A limited number of paper copies of the Management Plan are also available for distribution. Please make written requests for these to the Monument Paleontologist. Familiarization with the Management Plan and its decisions will help potential researchers to formulate proposals that will be compatible with current Management policy. After familiarizing themselves with the Plan, legitimate researchers affiliated with a recognized institution should follow the guidelines given below for submission of project proposals.

Guidelines for Project Proposal

1. Plan your research

Several changes in Monument policy brought about by the Management Plan make this phase critical. Please be aware that many roads in the Monument are no longer open to vehicular traffic. This may significantly affect the outcome of your project, especially when transport of large/numerous specimens is required. The Monument transportation map included with the Plan shows which roads are presently open. Also, all projects are subject to review for compliance with NEPA regulations. Projects involving only surface collecting would generally be exempt from formal NEPA procedure, but there are no blanket policies. Those projects involving excavations will be subject to formal NEPA CX, EA or EIS level review. Please allow up to 6 months or more for decisions on such projects as there are mandated procedures, such as public review and comment, that must be followed. In many cases it will only be possible to authorize excavation of material the next field season after its discovery. A NEPA t ime line is given here to show you how the process should proceed under normal conditions. Other considerations include group sizes in the outback and primitive management zones, use of fire in the backcountry, visual impact of the project, noxious weed infestations, seasonal closures for nesting raptors, disposal of human waste in the backcountry, presence of threatened and endangered plant species, and significance and scope of the research. Concerning the last point, it is important that you precisely define the goals and significance of your project. Proposals with extremely broad topics such as “Faunal Diversity of the Mesozoic” are not likely to meet with the same levels of approval as “Evolution of Late Triassic Archosauria in Southwestern Utah”.

2. Acquire a Utah State Office Permit

For further information, contact Laurie Bryant (801-539-4029) at the Utah State Office. You can also get permit information at- http://www.ut.blm.gov/Cultural/Paleontology/permits.html. Permits are now issued either for the Monument or for the rest of the state. If you plan on working in the Monument, please specify that in your permit application.

3. Stay in contact

We will do our best to process your proposal in a timely manner. It is up to you to keep in regular contact with the Monument Paleontologist to monitor your proposal's progress. This is especially critical if questions arise later about your project’s methodology and how it will impact environmental concerns.

Guidelines for Fieldwork

Once permission is granted to conduct field work, researchers are generally left to finish their study.  However, we do ask that you assist us by doing the following:

1. Keep your permit with you at all times while conducting field work. Please carefully read this document as it will contain stipulations for the research project that must be carefully met.

2. Check in with the Monument paleontology staff before actually going into the field.  This allows us to coordinate with other activities that may be occurring at the same time, and to also notify our law-enforcement officers about your schedule and activities. In addition, Monument staff will monitor researchers as they work in the field.  Knowing your schedule allows us to arrange to do that.

3. Always practice minimum impact work.  Keep all disturbances to the absolute minimum and avoid trampling cryptobiotic crusts.