The committee uses one or more of the following criteria when assessing the appropriateness of official landmark designation, and/or the need for further investigations under the permit process:

1. (1) the site has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the prehistory and/or history of Texas by the addition of new and important information;
2. (2) the site's archeological deposits and the artifacts within the site are preserved and intact, thereby supporting the research potential or preservation interests of the site;
3. (3) the site possesses unique or rare attributes concerning Texas prehistory and/or history;
4. (4) the study of the site offers the opportunity to test theories, and methods of preservation, thereby contributing to new scientific knowledge;
5. (5) the high likelihood that vandalism and relic collecting has occurred or could occur, and official landmark designation is needed to insure maximum legal protection, or alternatively further investigations are needed to mitigate the effects of vandalism and relic collecting when the site cannot be protected.

Source Note:The provisions of this §26.8 adopted to be effective June 24, 1988, 13 TexReg 2913; amended to be effective April 11, 1994, 19 TexReg 2193; transferred effective August 30, 1995, as published in the Texas Register October 17, 1995, 20 TexReg 8442; amended to be effective April 22, 1997, 22 TexReg 3577.