Rights of the Government of the Virgin Islands

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

  • (a) The Government retains the exclusive right to and control over all historical, cultural and archaeological properties and archaeological specimens located on public lands and waters, including submerged lands.

  • (b) The Government retains the exclusive right to and control over all historical, cultural and archaeological properties located on public lands leased to others. In all cases where such property is leased, it shall be subjected by covenant or otherwise to such rights of access for inspection, and other conditions or restrictions of operations, maintenance, repairs or restoration, alterations, or modifications as the State Historic Preservation Officer may prescribe for the purpose of protection and preservation of the property.

  • (c) The Government reserves to itself the exclusive right and privilege to conduct or to permit qualified professional archaeologists to conduct field archaeological operations on properties owned by the Government in order to protect and preserve historical, cultural, and archaeological sites and objects, and scientific and educational information, and to retain to itself artifacts recovered under such permits.

  • (d) Title to all objects, artifacts or specimens recovered under a valid permit from lands owned by the Government shall be in the Government.


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.