The Washoe tribe's Tribal Historic Preservation Office has worked hard to keep petroglyph and other archaeological sites secret from public knowledge, because people have and will desecrate and loot any and all archaeological sites. Thousands of sites are located throughout the Washoe homeland.

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Cultural resources are protected by laws including:

• The National Historic Preservation Act

• The Antiquities Act

• The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

• The Archaeological Resources Protection Act

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• Archaeological Resources Protection Act
  It is illegal to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise deface any archaeological resource located on public or Indian lands. Damage to archaeological sites in excess of $500 is a felony punishable by up to $250,000 in fines and imprisonment for up to two years for the first offence. All materials, equipment, and vehicles used in the commission of such crimes are subject to forfeiture.

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