KRS 433.879: Excavation permits -- Requirements -- Supervision by state archaeologist

and Kentucky Heritage Council.

(1) In addition to the written permission of the owner required by KRS 433.873(1), a

person shall also obtain a permit from the state archaeologist prior to excavating or

removing any archaeological, paleontological, prehistoric or historic feature of any

cave. The state archaeologist shall issue a permit to excavate or remove such a

feature if he finds that it is in the best interest of the Commonwe alth and that the

applicant meets the criteria of this section and is an historic, scientific or

educational institution, professional archaeologist or amateur who is qualified and

recognized in the areas of field investigations or archaeology. The permit shall be

issued for a period of two (2) years and may be renewed upon expiration. The

permit shall not be transferable; however, the provisions of this section shall not

preclude any person from working under the direct supervision of the permittee.

(2) All field investigations, explorations or recovery operations undertaken under this

section shall be carried out under the general supervision of the state archaeologist

and the Kentucky Heritage Council and in a manner to ensure that the maximum

amount of h istoric, scientific, archaeologic, and educational information may be

recovered and preserved in addition to the physical recovery of objects.

(3) A person applying for a permit pursuant to this section shall:

(a) Have knowledge of archaeology, paleontolog y or history as qualified in

subsection (1) of this section;

(b) Provide a detailed statement to the state archaeologist giving the reasons and

objectives for excavation or removal and the benefits expected to be obtained

from the contemplated work;

(c) Provide data and results of any completed excavation, study, or collection at

the first of each calendar year;

(d) Obtain the prior written permission of the owner if the site of the proposed

excavation is on privately owned land; and

(e) Carry the permit while exercising the privileges granted.