Conservation and Protection Network



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Conservation and Protection Network Sub-Committee





It is the mission of the Conservation and Protection Network to increase the level of protection for rock art sites by improving communications between local rock art advocates and regional and national advocacy groups. Read our Statement of Purpose.

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Rock Art Site Protection Articles


ARARA Public Access Guidelines (rtf file)

 

Looking Back at Four Years of Advocacy for the Ring Mountain Petroglyphs - California (USA). In the fall of 1993, the Bay Area Rock art Research Association began an effort to insure protections for the Ring Mountain petroglyphs in Tiburon (Marin County), California. Exactly four years later, after countless hours of planning, community organizing and bureaucratic cajoling, the Ring Mountain petroglyphs enjoy a new hope for a future free from unintentional damage and vandalism. M. Leigh Marymor, 1998. (Tracce no. 10)

In my opinion...Promoting Visitation to Rock Art Sites on Public Lands Clearly the issue of publication of rock art site maps and directions is, and has been, a touchy issue - one that has the potential for giving rise to heated debate. There is a natural polarization of interests between those people who would like to have all rock art sites restricted from public access in order to protect them from intentional and unintentional harm, and those who favor open visitations by all as a right of citizenship and public ownership of public lands....What, after all, are the accepted criteria for promoting visitations to rock art sites on public lands to the general public? Leigh Marymor, La Pintura.

Public Use Changes To Take Effect Sept. 1 at Hueco Tanks EL PASO, Texas -- After more than nine months of staff work and public input, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) has taken decisive action to protect the priceless natural and cultural resources at Hueco Tanks State Historical Park by issuing a final public use plan that puts resource protection foremost, while still allowing controlled recreational use. Aug. 24, 1998. (Texas Parks and Wildlife Newsstand)

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Action Alerts!

 

 

Arizona Glyphs in Peril of Destruction

A large number of petroglyphs located on the escarpments below Gillespie Dam on the Gila River near Arlington, AZ, recently became endangered when the private land on which they reside was bought by a sand and rock company, F & F Construction. The company plans to grind the malapai rocks up as a fertilizer amendment. The BLM has determined that the federal government holds the mineral estate on the property. Therefore, F & F will not be allowed to remove rock from the property without going through the appropriate environmental steps with the BLM, plus a tribal consultation.

Possible avenues of protection include: acquisition of the property by the BLM, placing an option on the property, a land swap with another private property owner, a Heritage fund grant, or any other means possible.

Here is how you can help.,br> The BLM is currently revising the Phoenix South Resource Management Plan and office personnel are now taking comments from the public. I encourage each of you to write a letter encouraging the BLM to include in their plan revision the acquisition of the F & F Construction property, Township 2 south, Range 5 west, Section 33, the east 1Ž2 of the southwest 1Ž4. Describe the value

Contact::
Karen Kelleher, Planning Team Lead
c/o BLM, Phoenix Office
21605 N. 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027

BRAZIL'S SERRA DA CAPIVARA NATIONAL PARK


Please take a minute to sign an important petition at this site:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/fumdham/petition.html

for info see: www.fumdham.org.
and www.DitoMorales.com/americas/sdcinfo.htm

PASEO DEL NORTE

Governor Richardson recently signed legislation to fund an extension of Paseo del
Norte through Petroglyph National Monument.However,he set several conditions for
road proponents to meet before funds would be release .Without going into etail,
over the next few months all those listed below will have something to o with meeting
those con itions.Help influence their decisions -write or call (for contact information go to
http://albarcsoc.org/images/PetroMonum.pdf ).

For those who would like to review a copy of Gov. Richardson's public statement on Paseo del Norte, the following link is provided:

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/2004/news/march/031004_3.pdf

if the link doesn't work, visit the New Mexico Governor's website, click on press releases, then march 2004, then select 03/10/04 statement on capital outlay for paseo del norte.

Nine Mile Canyon

The risk of losing irreplaceable values in Nine Mile Canyon and nearby areas unfortunately is heightened by the rush to exploit potential gas resources. (see Salt Lake Tribune article:
http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Nov/11162003/commenta/111319.asp ).

Proposed Imperial Glamis gold mining operation threatens petroglyphs located on BLM lands in southeastern Imperial County, California (in the vicinity of Picacho Peak, Pilots Knob, and Muggins Peak) reports Jeannine Gendar in News From Native California(12:2(37), Winter 1998/99). For a copy of the draft EIS and notification of opportunities for public comment, contact: Glen Miller, BLM, 1661 South Fourth Street, El Centro CA 92243. Tel: 760-337-4473. Fax: 760-337-4490.

Petroglyphs telling rich stories about the life of ancient Indian tribes are threatened by Las Vegas [Nevada], which keeps getting bigger and bigger. Keith Rogers, Las Vegas Review-Journal. Sunday, July 27, 1997. Editorial: Preserve the petroglyphs. A unique site needs to be protected, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sunday, August 3, 1997. ((Protecting a treasure.)) Sen. Reid leads the way on preserving a local petroglyph site, Thursday, November 06, 1997, Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Petroglyphs at Little Red Rock Canyon [Nevada] have withstood nature's elements but may not survive the forces of vandals. Keith Rogers, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sunday, April 29, 1997.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Land Management, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Plan Amendment to the Tonopah [Nevada] Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision ACEC designations highlight areas where special management attention is needed to protect, and prevent irreparable damage to, important historic, cultural, or scenic values; fish or wildlife resources; or other natural systems or processes. ACECs may also be designated to protect human life and safety from natural hazards. The ACEC designation indicates to the public that the BLM recognizes that an area has significant values and has established special management measures to protect those values...Nominations for additional ACECs submitted by the public should be accompanied by descriptive materials, maps showing the location and outline of the nominated area, and a discussion of evidence supporting the relevance and importance of the resources or hazards in the area. For those areas already nominated as ACECs, the public is encouraged to comment on the relevance and importance of those areas and to recommend appropriate management strategies for protecting their values. Additional information on areas previously nominated is available from the Tonopah Field Station...

Petroglyph National Monument faces an uphill battle to achieve its proper level of funding. The proposed road extension through the park and proposed cuts in park funding threaten its future. To keep abreast of the changing situation in Congress and the NPS, you may want to consult the web pages maintained by the National Parks and Conservation Association web pages. Planning documents for the park are available via the NPS web server.

The Petroglyph Monument Coalition is committed the protection of Petroglyph National Monument, and to understanding its natural, cultural and spiritual values. They are greatly concerned about the proposed road construction through the monument.

The Wilderness Society has placed Petroglyph National Monument on its list of the 15 most endangered wild lands in the country.

Contact your elected officials in Congress by mail or e-mail.

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Showcase: well managed rock art sites


Petroglyph National Monument: In June of 1990, the National Park Service Established Petroglyph National Monument for the preservation of cultural and national resources. Over seventy-one hundred acres in size, the Monument extends from Piedras Marcadas Canyon in the north to Mesa Prieta in the south; and from the volcanoes in the west to the escarpment edge in the east. The Monument area protects one of the most impressive collections of Indian and Hispanic rock art in the world. In addition, more than 100 archeological sites and a variety of volcanic features and associated wildlife habitats are protected, all within the Albuquerque city limits.

Little Petroglyph Canyon, China Lake, Naval Air Weapons Testing Station, Ridgecrest, California. The Maturango Museum guides provide public access to this treasure of rock art. Some of these petroglyphs have been dated to 16,000 years before present. We take you to "Little Petroglyph Canyon," the best of all of the many canyons on the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station land. There are over 6000 petroglyphs to be seen in a canyon a mile long.

Painted Rock [Carrizo Plain, California] is a Chumash Indian rock art site, on BLM land. The site has been badly vandalized since the early 1920's, but is now actively protected and is closely monitored by members of the Southern Sierra Archaeological Society. Short hike required. Carrizo Painted Rock is located off Soda Lake Rd south of California Valley at Hwy 58. A sign marks the turn-off. Note that the site area is closed during raptor nesting season. Call the Goodwin Educational Center, at the site, for information, at 805-475-2131.

Hedgepeth Hills - 12 behaviors to observe when visiting a rock art site:

The V-Bar-B Ranch Petroglyph Site: The V-Bar-V Ranch Petroglyph Site is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley [Arizona], as well as being one of the best-preserved. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the site has recently been opened for general public visitation. This website is intended to provide the potential visitor with background information about the site and its rock art.

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ADVOCACY: INTEREST GROUPS


American Rock Art Research Association:The American Rock Art Research Association (ARARA) evolved out of the Rock Art Symposium held in 1974 in Farmington, New Mexico. The founding members dedicated the organization to the support of rock art research, conservation, and education. ARARA is the oldest rock art association in the world.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center: Mission Statement: The mission of the Deer Valley Rock Art Center is to preserve and to provide public access to the Hedgepeth Hills petroglyph site, to interpret the cultural expressions found here, and to be a center for rock art studies. Three points are central to this mission: Preservation - Protecting the Hedgepeth Hills petroglyph site - and other ancient sites - is the Center's first priority. Please join in this effort. Respect - Recognizing different interpretations of the Hedgepeth Hills petroglyph site is fundamental. There are many different explanations for this place, and many ways to appreciate it. Connection - Continuing use of this area links our lives today to the people who have been here before.

Directory of Archaeological Societies and Newsletters
This directory of Archaeological Societies began as as a discussion on the HistArch mailing list when it was noted that some directories are in print but nothing was available electronically to the internet community. A complete directory of State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO's) and State Archaeologists is located in the back of the 1994 Society of Professional Archeologists (SOPA) directory.

Bay Area Rock Art Research Association Established in 1983, BARARA is an avocational association of professionals and amateur enthusiasts who share a dedication to rock art conservation, research and education. BARARA publishes a twice annual newsletter, organizes field visits to rock art sites, sponsors the the Bay Area Rock Art Conservation and Education Fund, the Bay Area Rock Art Archive at University of California - Berkeley Bancroft Library, and other rock art site conservation activities. Contact: Paul Freeman, Co-Chairperson 1959 Webster Street San Francisco CA 94115.

Eastern States Rock Art Research Association publishes a newsletter and sponsors symposia. Contact: Ilo M. Jones, Treasurer PO Box 4335 Helena MT 59604.

Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs . . . . "To protect, understand and enjoy the petroglyphs conserved within their natural landscapes and cultural traditions." Contact: FOTAP c/o 2920 Carlisle NE Albuquerque NM 87110-2855 (505) 889-3779.

Friends of Sierra Rock Art. . . . dedicated to the study, conservation, interpretation, and management of prehistoric rock art sites in the northern Sierra Nevada [California]. Contact: Sunny Green, President PO Box 1409 Nevada City CA 95959 (916) 265-2084.

Mid-America Geographical Foundation ....It strengthened the Foundation's commitment to landscape preservation. Current threats to the regional complex of mutually visible hilltops with petroforms, trails, springs, and Archaic sties include wind generators, power lines, housing developments, roads, and drainage projects. The membership of Mid-America includes professional archaeologists, geologists, physicists, engineers, accountants, and attorneys, thus all aspects of environmental projects can be addressed by the membership itself.

Rock Art Foundation The Rock Art Foundation 4833 Fredericksburg Rd San Antonio, Texas 78229 Tel: 888.525.9907 Fax: 210.525.9909 E-mail: admin@rockart.org

Society for American Archaeology The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) is an international organization dedicated to the research, interpretation, and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Americas. With more than 6,100 members, the society represents professional, student, and avocational archaeologists working in a variety of settings including government agencies, colleges and universities, museums, and the private sector.

Since its inception in 1934, SAA has endeavored to stimulate interest and research in American archaeology; advocated and aid in the conservation of archaeological resources; encourage public access to and appreciation of archaeology; oppose all looting of sites and the purchase and sale of looted archaeological materials; and serve as a bond among those interested in the archaeology of the Americas.

Southern Nevada Rock Art Enthusiasts. Who we are? Some of us are trying to record every glyph, even to scale high walls for the elusive ones. Others are casual hikers out for a special desert experience. Most of us like to take photos or videos of rock art . There are serious scholars, authors and artists among us.

The Southern Sierra Archaeological Society [SSAS], based in Visalia, California is dedicated to the protection and conservation of rock-art sites, and the education of the general public as to the importance of rock-art and site location. The SSAS membership, approximately 100 members, is involved in education, rock-art and archaeological site monitoring, both on private and public lands. SSAS with the Bureau of Land Management (Bakersfield Office) has developed a "Volunteer Archaeological Site" monitoring training program for the standardization of training for volunteer monitors. . . . Other work provided by SSAS is docent work for visitors at Exeter Rocky Hill [Archaeological Conservancy], and at many Archaeology Week events in Tulare and Fresno Counties. Continued training and education is provided to SSAS members through many field trips and the Guest Speaker Program. The SSAS membership consists of professionals and advocates who have come together with an interest in archaeology, especially rock-art. SSAS management is based on the skills of the diversity and background of its members. Contact: Manuel Andrade, President, PO Box 1973, Visalia CA 93279 [Tel.] 209-561-4692.

Texas Archaeological Society....dedicated to: Encouraging and advancing research in the field of rock art - specifically Texas' prehistoric and historic pictographs and petroglyphs. Preserving rock art through recording, therefore adding greatly to our knowledge of our historic and prehistoric past. Working for the protection and preservation of rock art sites through cooperative interaction with private landowners and appropriate state and federal agencies. Promoting non-destructive utilization of rock art for scientific,educational and artistic purposes through education and general awarenessprograms.

UCLA Rock Art Archive Institute of Archaeology Fowler Museum of Cultural History Los Angeles CA 90024-1510. 310-825-1720 (tel) 310-206-4723 (fax).

Upper Midwest Rock Art Research Association . . . .The Upper Midwest Rock Art Research Association is dedicated to publicizing the petroglyph and pictograph research being conducted in the Upper Midwest of the United States, including - but not limited to - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota. ...We at UMRARA believe that the proper stewardship and non-intrusive investigation of these sites provides lasting information that is crucial to the understanding of the people and cultures that have existed here over the millennia.

Utah Rock Art Research Association.... pledged and dedicated to the constant and unwavering protection and preservation of rock art and all vestiges of our priceless Native American cultural heritage; And to education to promote the preservation of these vestiges and our unspoiled wilderness environment, for the benefit of all peoples - past, present and future.

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CONSERVATION & CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT RESOURCES

 

 

The Getty Conservation Institute. The Getty Conservation Institute works internationally to further the appreciation and preservation of the world's cultural heritage for the enrichment and use of present and future generations.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites. "...preserving cultural property and rendering it accessible constitute... means of encouraging mutual understanding among peoples and thereby serve the cause of peace..."

Parks Canada links to other Conservation Sites

Archaeology on the Net: Cultural Heritage Resource Management Books

 

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PUBLIC LANDS





National Park Service

Bureau of Land Management

National Forest Service

Fish and Wildlife Service

Parks Canada

Arizona State Statute #13-3702. Defacing or damaging petroglyphs, pictographs, caves or caverns; classification.

ARPA and Cultural Site Etiquette: Today, the single largest problem cultural resource managers face is unintentional damage caused by visitors. Sadly, impacts occur even where visitors consistently practice minimum-impact techniques. Therefore, when visiting archeological and historical sites, minimum-impact techniques are a requirement. There can be no compromise in protecting these fragile and priceless resources.

Archaeological sites are protected by the Antiquities Protection Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA). The 1979 Act provides stiffer penalties, plus a reward for information that leads to a conviction. Please notify rangers if you discover any illegal activity.

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