54 U.S.C. § 320302 — Permits

(a) Authority To Grant Permit. The Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary of the Army can each grant a permit to examine ruins, excavate archeological sites, or gather objects of antiquity on land under their own jurisdiction. The permit can only go to an institution that the relevant Secretary considers properly qualified to do that work, and it is subject to whatever regulations that Secretary sets. (b) Purpose of Examination, Excavation, or Gathering. A permit can only be granted if two things are both true: (1) the work is being done to benefit a reputable museum, university, college, or other recognized scientific or educational institution, with the goal of learning more about the objects; and (2) anything gathered will be permanently kept in a public museum.