Opinion ID: 1119802
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Archaeological Site Claims

Text: Gates argues that an archaeological site on her land was destroyed by the city, and that the city should have to pay a fine under the Federal Antiquities Act. She seeks a declaratory judgment that the city destroyed an archaeological site in violation of that act. Gates further argues that the city's destruction of this site without notifying the state Department of Natural Resources violated AS 41.35.070. [10] The city argues that the statutes which Gates cites, both federal and state, do not provide for any form of private civil enforcement. Rather, they are criminal statutes, or apply only to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The city further argues that it never found an archaeological site, so it had no duty to report anything. The superior court found that the Federal Antiquities Act was not applicable to this case because it is only applicable to lands owned or controlled by the United States. [11] It therefore denied Gates' claims for a declaratory judgment and a fine against the city under that act. Since we affirm the superior court's finding that the city owns the land in question, we affirm this ruling. Gates' claim under AS 41.35.070 also has no merit. As the city correctly points out, even if Gates did have standing to sue under this statute, and even if it does apply to construction performed by municipalities, there is no evidence in the record which indicates that the city, during the course of its work, found any evidence of an archaeological site. Thus, the city is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law on this claim.