The Goals and Accomplishments of the Federal Archeology Program: The Secretary of the Interior's Report to Congress on the Federal Archeology Program, 2004-2007

The Secretary’s Report to Congress on the Federal Archeology Program documents the archeological resource management and stewardship activities carried out by Federal agencies between FY2004 and FY2007. The Departmental Consulting Archeologist prepares the report on behalf of the Secretary on the basis of information provided by over two dozen Federal agencies that conduct, fund, or require archeological activities and investigations.
The data in the FY2004-2007 report convey a sense of urgency. Environmental changes from climate change and increased energy resource extraction have the potential to destroy archeological sites before we even know that they exist. Many Federal archeological collections remain uncataloged and difficult to locate or use for research, exhibition, educational purposes, and cultural practices. Existing technologies for preserving and providing access to archeological data, records and reports are not keeping up with the volume of data and reports produced annually. Looting of archeological sites on Federal land continues, while law enforcement funding has remained the same size or decreased. Interpretation and synthesis of archeological research lags behind heritage tourism developments, which threaten to “love sites to death.” Agencies are losing personnel and expertise as baby boomer archeologists retire and are not replaced, creating a knowledge and skills gap that will be difficult to bridge.