Tips for Faster Processing of Permit

When sending in an application for a new paleontology resource use permit, there are some steps you can follow to make sure your application is processed as quickly as possible.

1. Make sure all of the required documents are included with the application. Some of the common items left out of applications include CV's (for the Principle Investigator and all persons listed on Line 8), a current agreement with a compliant curation facility, a research plan, and appropriate maps of the field area.

2. Plan ahead! If you plan on going into the field during the summer field season, apply early to ensure that you get your permit in time for the planned field work.

3. If you are applying for an excavation permit, allow extra time for processing. Excavation permits require that the Field Office evaluate the project under NEPA guidelines. Sometimes this process can be lengthy, so be aware that it could take longer to get this type of permit.

4. If you have a question, don't hesitate to ask! Sometimes a quick phone call can save time regarding permit issues.

Museum Collections

All fossils and associated notes that are collected under a paleontological resource use permit must be reposited into a compliant curation facility.  All permittees must produce an agreement with such a facility before they will be considered eligible for a permit.

• Minimum Standards for Curation Facilities
• Repository Receipt for Collections
• DOI Departmental Manual 411 and Museum Property Handbook
• Departmental Manual 411 Short Checklist

Helpful Tip: The curation costs associated with the specimens deposited in a compliant curation facility under a paleontology resource use permit are the responsibility of the permittee. Make sure that you read the agreement you sign with each repository and understand their terms, conditions, and curation fees.

Annual Reports

All permittees must file an annual report by December 31 of each calendar year.  A separate annual report must be filed for each permit that a permittee holds.  The report should have the following information:

• BLM-Utah Annual Report Cover Sheet 
• Narrative summary of work conducted in the past year
• Repository Receipt for Collections
• BLM Locality Form

If no field work was conducted during the calendar year an Annual Report Cover Sheet must be submitted, but all other documents may be omitted.

BLM Guidance

• Manual 8270 - Paleontological Resource Management
• Handbook H8270 - Paleontological Resource Management 
• IM 2008-009 on Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) System for Paleontological Resources on Public Lands
• IM 2009-011 on Assessment and Mitigation of Potential Impacts to Paleontological Resources
• IM 2009-113 on Casual Collecting of Common Invertebrate and Plant Paleontological Resources under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009

 All permitted paleontologists must check in with the appropriate BLM field office before beginning field work.   

• Utah Map with BLM District Boundaries and field offices
• BLM field office paleontology contacts