Proposed rule aims to protect New Mexico's cultural, historic sites
As one New Mexico tribal leader describes it, Indigenous people’s heritage was not respected for decades, with ancestral sites damaged by looting and careless commercial activities.
Whether thieves were pilfering artifacts or an oil driller unintentionally dug into an ancient Indigenous site, the damage over the years is immeasurable, said David Toledo, secretary for the All Pueblo Council of Governors.
-snip-
The State Land Office is proposing a rule to safeguard “cultural properties” within its jurisdiction.
The rule would require anyone planning a new soil-disturbing project on state land to first conduct an archaeological survey to ensure the work won’t damage what could be deemed a cultural property.
Read more: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/proposed-rule-aims-to-protect-new-mexicos-cultural-historic-sites/article_da25479e-3bd7-11ec-92b8-839a2b9deb51.html