The House of Representatives has backed away from a proposal to transfer the state archaeologist and staff to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Instead, a substitute bill passed Tuesday calls for a study of where best to put these experts — destination not specified, as long they are kicked out of their present home in the state Division of State History.

"What that means," commented Duncan Metcalfe, curator of archaeology at the Utah Museum of Natural History, "is that they can choose the second best."

The 52-to-15 vote came in the wake of expressions of dissatisfaction about the state archaeology experts recommending surveys for prehistoric sites in regard to developments or land trades. Miles Moretti, the acting director of Wildlife Resources, was especially vocal.

Passed was the third substitute version of HB308, "Archaeological Resources Amendments," sponsored by Rep. Bradley T. Johnson, R-Aurora.

If approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., it would direct the Legislature's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee to recommend where to place responsibility for archaeology, "other than the Division of State History."

Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, offered an amendment to strike that clause, allowing the interim committee to look for the best location for the archaeologists, period, even if that happened to be State History.

"I think by having a study we'll come up with some good recommendations, but I certainly don't want to determine the end result before we start," he said. But Johnson said the bill was drafted to "give the proper perspective" and he likes it as is.

The motion to amend failed, 35 against and 28 for.

Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, said he supported the original bill — sending the archaeologists to Wildlife Resources.

"I really think we ought to carry through with this because it has really got people's attention, and it's the right thing to do," he said.

But Rep. Sheryl L. Allen, R-Bountiful, said the move should be studied and that Natural Resources would not be a "natural alignment" for the archaeologists.

If the new version had not been substituted, said Rep. Wayne A. Harper, R-West Jordan, he'd have had to vote against HB308 because of "some consequences" it could cause.

Johnson said study is the right thing to do. "It declares that historical preservation (should) be kept in balance," he said.

The bill says preserving and protecting the archaeological resources is in Utah's interests.

It adds, "The Legislature declares that the historical preservation purposes of this chapter must be kept in balance with the other uses of land and natural resources which benefit the health and welfare of the state's citizens."

After HB308 passed, the Deseret Morning News asked Metcalfe to comment on the controversy.

"I think there's a lot of misunderstanding out there about what the Antiquities Section and the state historic preservation officer actually do," Metcalfe said.

"They've been characterized as obstructionists. What they really do is advise state agencies and federal agencies on how to comply with the relevant antiquities laws."

The agency getting the recommendation, Metcalfe said, "doesn't have to follow their advice if they don't like it. That's it. So it really is advisory."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com