FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARIZONA STATE PARKS AND TRAILS

Recent Reports on the Destruction of Arizona's Heritage

PHOENIX, ARIZONA November 2, 2018 – Arizona's public  land is home to thousands of archaeological sites that are subject to state and federal laws enacted to ensure that places significant to Arizona's heritage are afforded consideration during planned development and, when feasible, preservation for the benefit of the people of Arizona. Recent media reports suggest that the Director of Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) may have willfully circumvented these laws, which may have resulted in the careless destruction of irreplaceable and potentially significant archaeological sites. The Arizona Archaeological Council (AAC) is deeply concerned by these allegations and requests that ASPT release documentation supporting the Director’s claim that recent development work was accomplished in compliance with State and Federal law. If such documentation cannot be produced, it is the opinion of the AAC that a thorough and meaningful investigation by the office of the Governor of Arizona into the matter is required. The AAC acknowledges Governor Ducey’s stance in support of Arizona’s heritage and hopes his office will act with due diligence in this matter.

The AAC is a non-profit voluntary organization of more than 200 cultural heritage professionals dedicated to protection and preservation of Arizona’s heritage through education and advocacy. The AAC embraces a diverse membership drawing from academics, private business, local communities and federal, state and tribal agencies. Our mission is to promote and coordinate communication and cooperation within the archaeological community, encourage the development and implementation of professional quality in research and reports, work for the preservation and conservation of the prehistoric and historic heritage of Arizona, uphold State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations that protect cultural resources, advocate and publicize these objectives in the state of Arizona, and promote greater understanding between archaeological organizations and Native American communities.

For media inquiries, contact the AAC President Dave Hart at aacboard@gmail.com or 928.266.6651.

AAC_Press-Release_ASPT_110218.docx