13:1L-10 Destruction of park property, archaeological findings, sites prohibited.

10. a. (1) Except as may be provided pursuant to subsection c. or subsection d. of this section, no person may alter, deface, destroy, disturb, or remove any State park or forest property, whether man-made or natural, or any animal, or any archaeological findings on State park or forest property or which are held by the department pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.), without the written permission of the department. As used in this section, "archaeological findings" shall include, but need not be limited to, relics, objects, fossils, or artifacts of an historical, prehistorical, geological, paleontological, archaeological or anthropological nature.

(2) No person may sell, transfer, exchange, transport, purchase, receive or offer to sell, transfer, exchange, transport, purchase or receive any archaeological findings originating in a State park or forest property without the written permission of the department.

b. No person may litter or abandon any material on State park or forest property held pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.).

c. The department shall provide for exceptions to the prohibitions concerning archaeological findings set forth in subsection a. of this section for archaeological findings of de minimis value innocently discovered on any State park or forest property.

d. No provision of this section shall be construed to restrict or affect in any way fishing, hunting, trapping, or other such activities or related activities otherwise authorized or permitted on State park or forest property by the Department of Environmental Protection.

e. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, examination or retrieval of artifacts, or scientific research, conducted by a State department, agency, commission, authority or corporation otherwise required or permitted by federal or State law are exempt from the provisions of this section.

L.1983,c.324,s.10; amended 2004, c.170, s.2.