Abstract
During the first year of the Reagan administration U. S. public archeology has had a number of scares, but apparently very few actual losses. The rearrangements made for the lead agency (Interior Department), which saw the elimination of HCRS (Heritage, Recreation and Conservation Services), have apparently resulted in little more than the reestablishment of pre-1976 decentralized regionalization and control by the Natiomu Park Service. Major federal agencies involved in contract archeology and cultural resource management continue to roll along, most of them now with an established cadre of archeologists on the normal payroll. Some agencies (Forest Service) report augmented budgets for the 81-82 fiscal year. California (always a bellwether state) had the busiest summer flurry of contract work ever in 1981—apparently because much of the normal agency "in house" work was rearranged to be done under contract. The small but important Department of Defense archeological establishment (at half a dozen military bases) is being enlarged and consolidated for higher levels of capability—as defense activities and budgets are being favored by the new Republican administration. The Corps of Engineers new thrust away from a "project orientation" and toward a land management stance (as dam building apparently winds down in the U. S.) includes new ideas about how archeology will continue and grow in this prime agency. Thus far, the view is far from doom and gloom for U. S. Public archeology!
Published Version
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