(a) Decisions. The choice to investigate a site or other historic resource is made by the state archeologist in consideration of the following:
  (1) the nature and immediacy of any threat to the site or resource; and
  (2) the site's significance as defined in §25.2 of this title (relating to Determination of Significance).
  (3) These decisions pertain to archeological sites on land. Decisions to investigate submerged sites such as historic shipwrecks will be governed by Chapter 28 of this title (relating to Historic Shipwrecks).
(b) Appointment of avocational assistant. The state archeologist may appoint avocational archeologists, such as stewards, to investigate or inventory historic resources threatened by immediate harm or to aid in mitigating the effect of damage. The appointed avocational archeologist(s) will work under the direction of the state archeologist. Such appointments do not supersede requirements specified in the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 191) or associated rules (Chapter 26 of this title) or any pertinent federal statutes and regulations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §25.3 adopted to be effective May 20, 2013, 38 TexReg 2977