In the case of an area containing archaeological materials or artifacts that is directly threatened with unauthorized excavation, the Director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, with the written permission of the landowner, may designate the area as a protected site that is subject to this chapter for a period not to exceed 10 years. The director and the landowner shall specify in writing the area that is subject to this chapter. All sites given emergency designation under this section must be posted against unauthorized excavation.   [PL 2013, c. 89, §8 (AMD).]