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.
[Illustration: One New Orleans developer is protecting a major site
and is advertising its decision.]
IN BUILDING
NEW ORLEANS EAST,
SOME THINGS ARE MORE SACRED
THAN THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.
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.