The
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
Section
1(b): The Congress finds and declares-
(2) the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people
(4) the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, esthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans;
Secretary
of the Interior's Standard and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic
Preservation.
Standard IV. The Results of Archeological Documentation are Reported and Made Available to the Public: Results must be accessible to a broad range of users including appropriate agencies, the professional community and the general public. Results should be communicated in reports that summarize the objectives, methods, techniques and results of the documentation activity, and identify the repository of the materials and information so that additional detailed information can be obtained, if necessary. The public may also benefit from the knowledge obtained from archeological documentation through pamphlets, brochures, leaflets, displays and exhibits, or by slide, film or multimedia productions. The goal of disseminating information must be balanced, however, with the need to protect sensitive information whose disclosure might result in damage to properties.
Examples
from State Guidelines:
Standards
and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in Maryland, from the Maryland Historical Trust:
Phase
III investigations must include measures to inform the general public
and interested parties about the results of data recovery efforts.
Since Phase III investigations essentially mitigate adverse effects
to a significant archaeological property and are often undertaken at
considerable public expenses, the public should receive tangible evidence
of the research results (page
32)
The
Vermont State Historic Preservation Office's Guidelines for Conducting
Archaeology In Vermont (DRAFT, June 13, 2002).
7.5.1
Public education and outreach.
The
VTSHPO expects significant public education and outreach efforts after
Phase II if the site is determined to be important. Depending
on the results of the study, scale of the project, the character of
the site, extent of publics, project sponsor, and other considerations,
public education may also be appropriate during the field investigation,
and not only afterwards.
7.6.1
Public education and outreach.
The highest level of public education and outreach is required in the course of Phase III investigations to ensure that the proposed destruction of a site provides the maximum benefits to a wide audience. Community involvement at different levels is essential. Education and outreach programs must include both short-term programs during the investigations and long-term or permanent programs and/or projects with extended public benefits.