Z-0827.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2640

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Representatives Ogden, Carlson and Lantz; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development

Read first time 01/18/2000.  Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing & Trade.

Changing references to the Washington archaeological research center to the office of archaeology and historic preservation.

    AN ACT Relating to changing references to the Washington archaeological research center to the office of archaeology and historic preservation; and amending RCW 27.53.020, 27.53.070, and 27.53.080.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 27.53.020 and 1986 c 266 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

    The discovery, identification, excavation, and study of the state's archaeological resources, the providing of information on archaeological sites for their nomination to the state and national registers of historic places, the maintaining of a complete inventory of archaeological sites and collections, and the providing of information to state, federal, and private construction agencies regarding the possible impact of construction activities on the state's archaeological resources, are proper public functions; and the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation, created ((under the authority of)) in chapter ((39.34)) 27.34 RCW ((as now existing or hereafter amended)), is hereby designated as an appropriate agency to carry out these functions.  The director, in consultation with the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation, shall provide guidelines for the selection of depositories designated by the state for archaeological resources.  The legislature directs that there shall be full cooperation amongst the department, the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation, and other agencies of the state.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 27.53.070 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 82 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    It is the declared intention of the legislature that field investigations on privately owned lands should be discouraged except in accordance with both the provisions and spirit of this chapter and persons having knowledge of the location of archaeological sites or resources are encouraged to communicate such information to the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation.  Such information shall not constitute a public record which requires disclosure pursuant to the exception authorized in RCW 42.17.310, as now or hereafter amended, to avoid site depredation.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 27.53.080 and 1986 c 266 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

    Qualified or professional archaeologists, in performance of their duties, are hereby authorized to enter upon public lands of the state of Washington and its political subdivisions, at such times and in such manner as not to interfere with the normal management thereof, for the purposes of doing archaeological resource location and evaluation studies, including site sampling activities.  Scientific excavations are to be carried out only after appropriate agreement has been made between a professional archaeologist or an institution of higher education and the agency or political subdivision responsible for such lands.  Notice of such agreement shall be filed with the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation and by them to the department.  Amateur societies may engage in such activities by submitting and having approved by the responsible agency or political subdivision a written proposal detailing the scope and duration of the activity.  Before approval, a proposal from an amateur society shall be submitted to the ((Washington archaeological research center)) office of archaeology and historic preservation for review and recommendation.

                            --- END ---