Paleontological Resource Use Permits
A paleontologist must have a valid paleontological resource use permit before collecting or disturbing fossil resources on BLM-administered lands.
Collecting certain common invertebrate and plant fossils on BLM-administered lands is allowable without a permit. It is your responsibility to be familiar with these regulations before starting. Please check with the local BLM field office and " Hobby Collecting in Utah ."
General Information about Permits
There are three types of BLM permits:
- Survey Permit - paleontological research and surface collection of fossils that results in the disturbance of less than one square meter of rock or soil.
- Excavation Permit - Systematic collection of fossils that results in soil or rock disturbance exceeding one square meter in area.
- Consulting Permit - authorizes the survey and collection of paleontological resources by a consulting paleontologist in anticipation or in conjunction with a land-use action (such as mining, trenching, road-building, or land-tenure adjustment).
How do I apply for a BLM paleontological resource use permit?
Can I place a mining claim on fossil resources?
Fossilized remains of prehistoric animals have been determined to be surface estate and are not a mineral resource, therefore mining claims may not be placed upon them (see Public Law 84-167). For mining inquiries please check with the BLM minerals program .
For more specific information...
Visit the following sites:
Information for BLM UT Permittees
Information for BLM UT Consultants
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