Assigned to NREW & GOV                                                                               AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE

 

 



                 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2498

 

historic preservation; rangeland improvements; requirements

 

Purpose

 

Requires the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) to establish a streamlined survey report for rangeland improvement projects.

 

Background

 

The Arizona State Parks Board (Board) is responsible for the State Historic Preservation Program, including the program established pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Governor is required to designate a SHPO to serve as a full-time employee of the Board with expertise in the field of historic preservation. The SHPO administers the State Historic Preservation Program (A.R.S. § 41-511.02).

 

A person in charge of a survey, excavation, construction or similar activity on lands owned or controlled by Arizona or a political subdivision of Arizona is required to promptly report to the Director of the Arizona State Museum the existence of any archaeological, paleontological or historical site or object that is at least 50-years-old and is found on the land. The person must take all reasonable steps to immediately secure and maintain its preservation (A.R.S. § 41-844).

 

Statute outlines additional requirements relating to: 1) reporting procedures; 2) respectful treatment and minimal disturbance of all human remains and funerary objects; and 3) the protection of the constitutional rights of property owners (A.R.S. § 41-865).

 

According to the JLBC Fiscal Note, there is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Allows the SHPO to enter into agreements that are consistent with state and federal laws.

 

2.      Requires the SHPO to develop, in conjunction with the appropriate state agency, a process for a streamlined survey report of rangeland improvement projects. The process must allow:

a)      an individual who has completed specified training to perform the survey report;

b)      the designation of a buffer zone of at least 50 feet to avoid disturbing artifacts;

c)      the use of supervised volunteers who have completed the required training; and

d)      reasonable and prudent buffer zones of at least 75-feet around known sites for archaeology monitoring.

 

3.      Allows each survey report to be submitted to the SHPO with the approval of the appropriate state agency director.

 

4.      Stipulates that the requirements related to improvement projects and survey reports do not interfere with existing tribal contracts or tribal cultural resources.

 

5.      Makes technical changes.

 

6.      Becomes effective on the general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee

 

1.      Requires the survey report be for rangeland improvement projects, rather than all state land improvements.

 

2.      Specifies the designated buffer zone to avoid disturbing artifacts must be at least 50 feet.

 

3.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

House Action                                                              Senate Action

 

LARA             2/08/18     DP     5-2-0-1                     NREW            3/12/18     DPA     5-3-0

3rd Read          2/22/18               44-11-5                     GOV               3/14/18     DP        4-3-0

 

Prepared by Senate Research

March 15, 2018

KK/IC/lat