Legislative intent.

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state to preserve archaeological sites and objects of antiquity for the public benefit and to limit exploration, excavation, and collection of such matters to qualified persons and educational institutions possessing the requisite skills and purpose to add to the general store of knowledge concerning history, archaeology, and anthropology. It is further declared to be the public policy of the state to provide public outreach and assistance to local governments in identifying, evaluating, developing, and preserving the archaeology in their local areas through the establishment of a network of regional public archaeology centers. It is further declared to be the public policy of the state that field investigation activities on privately owned lands should be discouraged except in accordance with both the provisions and spirit of ss. 267.11-267.145; and persons having knowledge of the location of archaeological sites are encouraged to communicate such information to the division.