  Businesses and industries are most likely to deal with archaeological sites when they plan projects on publicly-owned lands or when projects require permits. Many developers are sensitive to the need for preservation of important sites and plan ahead for evaluation of the project’s impact on these. Businesses and industries whose projects will affect sites are proving to be creative in their responses. Sometimes, a minor change, like moving a road 25 feet to one side, may prevent a site from being destroyed. Businesses also participate in archaeology because of curiosity about sites on their land. Some have provided food and lodging for excavators or have given grants to archaeologists to fund field and lab work. After analysis is completed, these companies have either donated artifacts to a museum or have developed small displays for their employees. Companies are discovering that becoming involved with archaeology can have tax advantages. If a company donates land with a site on it to a nonprofit or governmental organization, the donation can be claimed as a tax deduction. A company also can receive a tax benefit by sponsoring excavation of a site either on or off its property. One southern Louisiana company funded 25% of the cost of an excavation and counted that as a tax deduction. The company owned the land with the site, so by donating the artifacts, it also could claim their worth as a tax deduction. A New Orleans development corporation planned a massive project with an extremely important site in mind. The company leased land with a site on it to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park for $1.00 a year. Rather than viewing the site as a liability, however, the company saw it as an asset. Through the lease of the site, the corporation generated positive community feelings, protected a part of our cultural heritage, and enhanced the value of the surrounding property. The benefits to the community and to the corporation will continue into the future. A Baton Rouge company also was able to use archaeology in public relations. It developed an outstanding display about prehistoric Louisiana for the lobby of its main building. The exhibit attracts visitors and promotes interest not only in archaeology, but also in the company’s services. One New Orleans developer is protecting a major site and is advertising its decision. IN BUILDING Once, New Orleans was rich in hidden archeological treasures. Over 600 prehistoric sites were buried throughout the city, but almost all of them have been destroyed in the name of progress. One of the most valuable sites, however, has miraculously survived the city’s development: a prehistoric village of the Tchefuncte Indian Tribe, dating back to 500 BC. It’s called Big Oak Island and it’s located in New Orleans East. In order to preserve this part of our city’s heritage, New Orleans East has leased this 12-acre site, right in the heart of our community, to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. The cost: one dollar a year. Donating this valuable piece of land to the Park Service is just one example of what makes us different from other developers. Throughout New Orleans East, we’re leaving additional areas untouched as well, so that in the future, residents here will have trees to enjoy, birds to watch, and parks to play in. We’re doing all this because we want New Orleans East to be a community that everyone in New Orleans can be proud of. Building a community with this kind of concern for the environment may not be the most profitable development plan, but, like the treasures of Oak Island, it may very well be priceless in the years to come. |
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