The state archaeologist's office will still have a "big role to play," he said. "They will consult with all of the agencies. They'll keep the information. The bill requires the public lands coordinating office to work with them and to make sure that everything's done correctly."

The Antiquities Section, he said, will just "not continue to have the permitting process."

Members of the Utah Professional Archaeological Council overwhelmingly oppose HB139, says a letter signed by the council president, Lori Hunsaker.

"The permitting process and standards outlined in HB139 appoint a new and separate committee that currently lacks any archaeological expertise," it says.

Presently, state law requires that archaeological projects, such as clearances for freeway construction, be carried out by registered professional archaeologists. That's a higher standard than the equivalent of a graduate degree in history and some experience.

The Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office is "poorly suited to evaluate the quality of work and experience" of would-be permittees, says the letter.

"Historical and archaeological resources are irreplaceable remains of our cultural heritage that provide our community with tourist dollars, as well as information about what happened in the past and insight into our everyday existence," it adds.

When interviewed, Philip F. Notarianni, director of the Division of State History, had not seen the final version of SB139 because it wasn't yet available.

"We did voice some concerns about it, and I think the people that were drafting that are taking those into consideration," he said. "And we'll just have to wait and see."

Johnson said he believes the state administrative agencies are "pretty much on board" with the substitute version.

"I think it's terrible," Hunsaker said of the bill Sunday afternoon. She said many archaeologists — and non-professional supporters of archaeology and ancient rock art — are contacting their legislators about the bill.

"Many, many members (of the council) have expressed concern" about people who are inexperienced in archaeology, or who are pro-development, having the say on permits, she said.

"I suspect the public as a whole would be concerned about this if they knew what the ramifications are."

The bill would make state laws on managing archaeological resources "more lax, making them more development-friendly than federal law," she said.

In a state with some of the most amazing archaeological resources, she added, "I can't believe that our public is willing to just blow them off.

"And if they are," Hunsaker charged, "it's kind of a worldwide embarrassment to us."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com