1It is the public policy of the state to preserve and protect archaeological sites and objects of antiquity for the public benefit and to limit exploration, excavation, and collection of such materials to qualified persons, businesses, and educational institutions possessing the requisite skills and purpose to add to the general store of knowledge concerning history, archaeology, and anthropology. The purpose of this rule is to provide guidance and information to the public regarding issuance of permits by the division for exploration and recovery of historic shipwreck sites by commercial salvors on state-owned sovereignty submerged lands and for transferring objects recovered by commercial salvors under permit in exchange for recovery services provided to the state.
