(a) The department shall locate, identify, and preserve in suitable records information regarding historic, prehistoric, and archeological sites, locations, and remains. The information shall be submitted to the heads of the executive departments of the state.
(b) Before public construction or public improvement of any nature is undertaken by the state, or by a governmental agency of the state or by a private person under contract with or licensed by the state or governmental agency of the state, the department may survey the affected area to determine if the area contains historic, prehistoric, or archeological values.
(c) If the department determines that historic, prehistoric, or archeological sites, locations, or remains will be adversely affected by the public construction or improvement, the proposed public construction or improvement may not be commenced until the department has performed the necessary investigation, recording, and salvage of the site, location, or remains. All investigation, recording, and salvage work shall be performed as expeditiously as possible so that no state construction project will be unduly impaired, impeded, or delayed.
(d) If in the course of performing public construction or improvements, historic, prehistoric, or archeological sites, locations, remains, or objects are discovered, the department shall be notified and its concurrence shall be requested in continuing the construction or improvement. Upon receipt of this notice, the department shall survey the area to determine whether the area contains historic, prehistoric, or archeological data which should be preserved in the public interest. The survey shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible. If, as a result of the survey, it is determined that (1) this data exists in the area, (2) the data has exceptional historic, prehistoric, or archeological significance, and should be collected and preserved in the public interest, and (3) it is feasible to collect and preserve the data, the department shall perform the necessary work to collect and preserve the data. This work shall be performed as expeditiously as possible.
(e) If the concurrence of the department required under (b) and (c) of this section is not obtained after 90 days from the filing of a request for its concurrence to proceed with the project, the agency or person performing the construction or improvement may apply to the governor for permission to proceed without that concurrence, and the governor may take the action the governor considers best in overruling or sustaining the department.
(f) The costs of investigation, recording, and salvage of the site shall be reimbursed by the agency sponsoring the construction project.
(g) Notwithstanding (a) - (f) of this section, all actions to stop any project shall first be approved in writing by the commissioner.