Thomas Daschle: “last year I worked closely with my colleagues Senator Byrd and Senator Gorton to place language in the report…”

“last year I worked closely with my colleagues Senator Byrd and Senator Gorton to place language in the report accompanying the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Interior appropriations bill directing the Secretary to report to Congress on the need for a uniform federal policy guiding the collection of fossils from public lands. This was an important step that was long overdue. Public lands such as those administered by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies are some of our nation's finest repositories of fossils. By studying fossils, paleontologists learn information that is vital to understanding the Earth and the history of life on this planet. Unfortunately, the variety of policies used by federal agencies to guide the collection of fossils from these lands are confusing to the public, do not ensure that scientists have a full opportunity to study valuable specimens, and do not ensure that fossils are adequately preserved for the future. I believe it is time that we developed such a policy and implemented measures to maximize access to and preservation of important fossil specimens. I am very pleased that the Department has undertaken a serious review of this issue and is consulting with all stakeholders to ensure that it provides Congress with the best information and recommendations possible.”