The various state "standards" may be nice, but unless the survey/excavation
is being conducted with state funds or is subject to state "approval," they
are recommendations only. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
rules (36 CFR Part 800) are the only applicable "standards" (and by
extension, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards) for Section 106 work
unless otherwise specified in a programmatic agreement or memorandum of
agreement. State Historic Preservation Offices (and by extension state
archaeologists) only consult under Section 106; they do not approve and
deny. There is nothing in the Section 106 rules specifying number of shovel
tests per acre, geomorphology requirements, round vs. square shovel tests,
etc.
DSR.