STATE AND TRIBAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS
(as of February 2005)
Date Enacted: 1935, amended 1945, 1957, 1997
Summary: Wyoming has not specific unmarked human burial protection legislation. What little legal precedent exists, deals with archaeological resources on state and federal lands. The law protects prehistoric ruins, relics and archaeological and paleontological deposits, which could include prehistoric human burials. The State Board of Land Commissioners has responsibility for issuing excavation permits, as well as for developing and implementing regulations. Most violations are misdemeanors with fines from $25 to $100 and jail up to six months. The 1997 amendment added severe penalties up to $10,000 and/or ten years imprisonment for anyone convicted of removing archaeological and paleontological deposits for commercial gain. No direction exists to coordinate with Native Americans.
Online State Law Source:http://legisweb.state.wy.us/titles/statutes.htm
Permitting: Permits issued by State Board of Land Commissioners.
Penalties: Violations are misdemeanors with fines from $25 to $100 and jail up to six months. Convictions related to commercial looting are felonies with fines up to $10,000 and/or ten years imprisonment.
Review-Consultation Committee/Commission: Not specified.
Indian Affairs Office/Department:
Tribal Websites:
Resources: Archaeological Sites (Wyoming Stat. Ann. §36-1-114, et seq.).
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