The Division of Archaeology is responsible for issuing permits for archaeological investigations conducted on State land and state owned water bottoms, and for any activity that impacts abandoned cemeteries, unmarked human burials or human remains. There are three types of permits: Cultural Resources Investigation, Non-Intrusive Archaeological Research, and Unmarked Burial. Each permit request must be submitted to the State Archaeologist who will then identify a Division staff member as the point of contact. Requests may be submitted as hard copies (Division of Archaeology, PO Box 44247, Baton Rouge, La., 70804) or as email (archaeology@crt.la.gov).

• A Cultural Resources Investigation Permit is required for those projects undertaken on State land and state owned water bottoms that include ground disturbing activities and/or the removal of artifacts from an archaeological site. These permits must be approved by the Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission, and requests must be introduced during one of the regularly scheduled meetings. Details on submitting a request are offered below. The permit will require submission of a draft and final report, accompanied by draft and final updated site form(s), and publication of an article in the Louisiana Archaeological Society Newsletter or professional journal. The Division will review the draft report and site forms and provide comments on each to the author(s). Permitees or authors should address these comments and submit the final report and final site forms.

  How to Request a Cultural Resources Investigation Permit

• Non-Intrusive Archaeological Research permits are required for archaeological investigations on State land and state owned water bottoms that will not include any ground disturbing activities or any artifact collection, including all remote sensing projects. For those projects, only the Division will review the permit request. Details on submitting a request are offered below. The permit will require submission of a draft and final report, accompanied by draft and final updated site form(s), and publication of an article in the Louisiana Archaeological Society Newsletter or professional journal. The Division will review the draft report and site forms and provide comments on each to the author(s). Permitees or authors should address these comments and submit the final report and final site forms.

  How to Request a Non-Intrusive Archaeological Research Permit

• Activities impacting an abandoned cemetery must be discussed with the Division of Archaeology prior to undertaking any action. Limited activities such as clearing brush and cleaning the cemetery may not require a permit pending consultation with the State Archaeologist and all involved parties. Any activity that alters, modifies, damages, or changes tombs, headstones, human remains, and other grave markers must obtain an Unmarked Burial sites permit before beginning work.

  All investigations on non-Federal and non-Tribal lands involving human remains must proceed under the aegis of an Unmarked Burials Permit. Application for a permit is made in writing to the State Archaeologist (Division of Archaeology, PO Box 44247, Baton Rouge, La., 70804). The permit application must include a detailed research proposal that identifies the excavation strategies, analytical methods, temporary storage practices, and final disposition for the remains. If the remains are known or anticipated to be Native American, the Division assumes the responsibility of contacting the appropriate Tribes and inviting them to participate in the consultation. Applicants must understand that Tribal consultation can be complex, involve numerous Tribes, and that regulations do not provide formal deadlines for Tribes or other descendent communities to respond. The wishes of the consulting Tribes can significantly affect the final proposal in how the human remains will be excavated, analyzed, stored and their final disposition. If the known or anticipated remains are not Tribal, then the research proposal must specify how lineal descendents will be contacted, and identify the proposed final disposition of the remains. The final agreed-upon proposal will be attached to, and made a part of, the Permit. The Permit must be signed by the State Archaeologist and the responsible contracting archaeologist.

• If you have general questions about permits or the permit process, please contact the State Archaeologist at 225-342-8170 or archaeology@crt.la.gov. If you have questions about a specific permit, please contact your assigned Division point of contact.