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Foreword Nathan Thomas, Deputy Preservation Officer,
Utah State Office, Bureau of land Management Raymond and Pike's Rails East to Promontory: ELM-Utah Cultural Resource Series No. 8 (1981 and reprinted in 1994) laid the foundation for the archaeological study of the Transcontinental Railroad on BLM-Utah administered lands. Their study provided a masterful point of departure for Rails East to Ogden: Utah's Transcontinental Railroad Story: BLM-Utah Cultural Resource Series No. 29. This new study exponentially increases historic research on one of the most important heritage resources on BLM-administered lands. This new study provides a rare opportunity for the BLM to be a part of a "deep dive" into a site spanning over 100 miles with hundreds of features and thousands of artifacts. The significant amount of research and documentation associated with this study is unparalleled in BLM-Utah's cultural resource series. The railroad, and its associated features and artifacts, are silent objects of the past. Without analyses such as this one, it may be difficult to move from the paradigm of historic debris, to that of rare objects of meaning and understanding. This study is a successful investigation into the past of the Transcontinental Railroad in that it provides the Public with more history, research, and ultimately more appreciation for the potentially eligible National Historic Landmark. I am grateful to the authors for their time, energy, and commitment to this study. Their experience with historical archaeology and research is without match. As the Deputy Preservation Officer and State Archaeologist for Utah BLM, I think you will find this study to be of great worth.
Through the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Congress finds and declares that(1) the spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage; (2) the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people; (3) historic properties significant to the Nation '.S' heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency; (4) the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is
in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans; (5) in the face of ever-increasing extensions of
urban centers, highways, and residential, commerdal, and industrial developments, the present governmental and nongovernmental historic preservation programs and activities are inadequate to insure future generations a genuine opportunity to appredate and enjoy the rich heritage of our Nation; (6) the increased knowledge of our historic resources, the establishment of better means of identifying and administering them, and the encouragement of their preservation will improve the planning and execution offederal and federally assisted projects and will assist economic growth and development; and
(7) although the major burdens of historic preservation have been borne and major efforts initiated by private agendes and individuals, and both should continue to play a vital role, it is nevertheless necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to accelerate its historic preservation programs and activities, to give maximum encouragement to agencies and individuals undertaking preservation by private means, and to assist State and local governments and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States to expand and accelerate their historic preservation programs and activities.
