(a) The State Historic Preservation Officer shall employ a State Archaeologist through the classified service who shall conduct and maintain a survey of sites of archaeological and anthropological specimens located within the State. The State archaeologist shall make the survey available to agencies of the State government that, in his or her opinion, may conduct activities which may affect these archaeological or anthropological sites.

(b) All information regarding the location of archaeological sites and underwater historic properties shall be confidential except that the State archaeologist shall provide this information to qualified individuals or organizations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations for archaeological and scientific research or for preservation and planning purposes when the State Archaeologist determines that the preservation of these properties is not endangered. (Added 1975, No. 109, § 4; amended 1989, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 46, § 45.)