MI HB5874

Department of Natural Resources shall fulfill the state's archaeological responsibilities under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, including setting priorities, documenting resources on state-owned lands, and issuing permits for archaeological exploration.

Department must establish communication protocols with federally recognized tribes regarding archaeological investigations of Native American sites and inadvertent discoveries of Native American human remains, and serve as the contact for law enforcement agencies notified of human remains discoveries on public or private land.

Department shall work with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on mining projects and participate in the review of mining permit applications from the beginning of exploratory work.

State Historic Preservation Office and Department of Natural Resources shall collaboratively manage and curate state archaeological collections according to federal curation standards, ensure accuracy of the state archaeological site file, and respond to public records requests subject to confidentiality protections.

Department and state government archaeologists shall comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, provide archaeological expertise and technical assistance to local, state, federal, and tribal entities, and offer education and outreach about Michigan archaeology.