The report was requested by senators whose previous attempts at fossil legislation have been rebuffed by the Clinton Administration. The report states that fossils on federal lands are part of America's heritage, and calls for greater efforts to protect and preserve fossils as well as their related data. Public comment periods are the principal mechanism for federal agencies to receive feedback on draft rules, regulations, and policies before they are put into final form and officially promulgated. It is important that the geoscience community plays a part in the development of policies regarding the treatment of fossils on public lands.
Most vertebrate fossils are rare.
Some invertebrate and plant fossils are rare. Penalties for fossil theft should be strengthened. Effective stewardship requires accurate information. Federal fossil collections should be preserved and available for research and public education. Federal fossil management should emphasize opportunities for public involvement.