(b) If it can be demonstrated that a project will cause damage to a unique archaeological resource, the lead agency may require reasonable efforts to be made to permit any or all of these resources to be preserved in place or left in an undisturbed state. Examples of that treatment, in no order of preference, may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

1. (1) Planning construction to avoid archaeological sites.
2. (2) Deeding archaeological sites into permanent conservation easements.
3. (3) Capping or covering archaeological sites with a layer of soil before building on the sites.
4. (4) Planning parks, greenspace, or other open space to incorporate archaeological sites.

(e) In no event shall the amount paid by a project applicant for mitigation measures required pursuant to subdivision (c) exceed the following amounts:

1. (1) An amount equal to one-half of 1 percent of the projected cost of the project for mitigation measures undertaken within the site boundaries of a commercial or industrial project.
2. (2) An amount equal to three-fourths of 1 percent of the projected cost of the project for mitigation measures undertaken within the site boundaries of a housing project consisting of a single unit.

3. (3) If a housing project consists of more than a single unit, an amount equal to three-fourths of 1 percent of the projected cost of the project for mitigation measures undertaken within the site boundaries of the project for the first unit plus the sum of the following:

   1. (A) Two hundred dollars ($200) per unit for any of the next 99 units.
   2. (B) One hundred fifty dollars ($150) per unit for any of the next 400 units.
   3. (C) One hundred dollars ($100) per unit in excess of 500 units.

(g) As used in this section, “unique archaeological resource” means an archaeological artifact, object, or site about which it can be clearly demonstrated that, without merely adding to the current body of knowledge, there is a high probability that it meets any of the following criteria:

1. (1) Contains information needed to answer important scientific research questions and that there is a demonstrable public interest in that information.
2. (2) Has a special and particular quality such as being the oldest of its type or the best available example of its type.
3. (3) Is directly associated with a scientifically recognized important prehistoric or historic event or person.