BLM ORWA 2018 Master Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management

The BLM manages thousands of archaeological and historic sites, traditional cultural places, and paleontological resources that occur on 16.1 million acres of federal lands within the states of Oregon and Washington. These sites represent over 14,300 years of human history in the Pacific Northwest, and millions of years of the earths biological history. BLM Cultural Resources Management and Paleontology Programs coordinate the management, preservation, and outreach efforts for these resources. The BLM Cultural Heritage and Paleontology Program manages and protects archaeological, historical, and paleontological resources, and areas of traditional cultural importance to Native American tribes and other communities for educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational values. Archaeological and historical locations, structures, and objects present on BLM-administered lands represent a unique component of our national heritage. Cultural and natural resources of importance to Native American communities with ancestral ties to the Oregon/Washington area play a role in maintaining the cultural identity of these communities today. Paleontological resources on BLM lands are a fragile, nonrenewable scientific record of changes in the earthâ¿¿s natural history, and are important to understanding America's natural heritage. The BLM Oregon/Washington Cultural Resource Management and Paleontology Program seeks to establish partnerships to collaboratively encourage local communities and the public to learn about and engage with cultural heritage and paleontological resources in Oregon and Washington, increase volunteer and recreation opportunities for local communities, increase engagement with Native American tribes, encourage studies on public lands, improve data and records management, and curate artifact and paleontology collections for use by future generations.