§ 79-3-505 — Paleontological landmarks.

(1) (1)(a) A site of significance or a site with exceptional fossils may be designated as a state paleontological landmark by:
(1)(a)(i) recommendation to and approval of the board; or
(1)(a)(ii) approval of the Legislature and the governor through concurrent resolution.
(1)(b) (1)(b)(i) The director shall notify the board if a concurrent resolution described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii) is introduced by the Legislature.
(1)(b)(ii) If the board receives a recommendation described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) or notice described in Subsection (1)(b)(i), the survey may prepare a report on the impacts of the proposed state paleontological landmark and submit the report to the Legislature and the governor.
(1)(c) No privately owned site, a site on school or institutional trust lands, or a site on lands owned or controlled by a city that has a paleontology museum may be so designated without the written consent of the owner or the trust.
(1)(d) The ownership or control of a site or the site's fossils does not change upon designation as a state paleontological landmark.
(2) A person may not excavate on a privately owned state paleontological landmark without a permit from the survey unless the landmark is located in a city with a paleontological museum that employs a paleontologist.
(3) Before an alteration is commenced on a state paleontological landmark, three months notice of intent to alter the site shall be given the survey.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 340, 2024 General Session