Recent Yellowstone visitors passing through the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner saw an unexpected sight: University of Montana archeology staff and students digging on the grassy area inside the park. The National Park Service is developing an improvement plan for the North Entrance to Yellowstone which encompasses the Roosevelt Arch and Park Street, bordering the town of Gardiner, Montana. This project presents an opportunity to improve traffic circulation, promote local businesses, restore vegetation, and educate and orient visitors at one of the more popular entrances to Yellowstone. The June archeological evaluation is tied to this plan and results will be disclosed when the environmental assessment is issued later this year.

Multiple archeological evaluations are scheduled this summer as part of several short- and long-term improvement plans now in process. Each requires that any effects on Yellowstone's resources (wildlife, plants, cultural resources, etc.), visitor experience, and park operations be identified, analyzed, and mitigated if necessary. It is part of the balancing act required to manage the NPS's dueling directives to preserve and protect and provide benefit and enjoyment.

The archeological techniques being used range from simple shovel tests-digging down a couple of feet to see whether artifacts are present-to the exacting, square excavation units depicted in movies. All are conducted under strict controls and permits. "Our policy is to preserve archeological sites wherever possible, to not disturb them," said Tobin Roop, chief of Yellowstone's Cultural Resources Branch. Instead, aspects of an improvement plan, say a road or building, might be moved to accommodate sites. Only if accommodations are impossible are excavations to recover artifacts conducted. Digs purely for research generally aren't done in national parks.

The high visibility of this summer's archeological work has prompted reminders to visitors that any unauthorized digging, disturbing, or removal of park artifacts, rocks, bones, plants, etc., is strictly prohibited. Visitors are asked to leave the park as they found it for the enjoyment of future visitors.