relic-hunters, I too had the same question that ouachitacaveman had when I read your post: "what? are you NOT allowed to metal detect in the state or something?" But then in your next post, you clarify that this is for "restricted areas".
And ouachitacaveman is right: You can help archaeologists whenever you/they want. You don't need some sort of special sanctions or laws or whatever. If you buddy up with them by joining museum's volunteer staffs (docents, etc...), and historical societies, and archaeological societies, you can meet the people, and often get to contribute. I have helped archaeologists by this method. No need to get some sort of legislation, etc...
But to let you know, to get to metal detect at "restricted areas", by the means of "helping archaeologists" on their digs, is not what you're thinking it is. It is VERY boring, and not at all what us md'rs associated with normal metal detecting. Because you don't actually dig any targets. You just flag the beep signal, and they come back later with tweezers, brushes, and such, and dig it out later.
For example: one time I got to help an archie doing a dig at a Chinese fishing village site. The site had also been the location of some more recent activity (industrial/commercial boat-works site). So as I started to flag each signal, I would tell the archie "this is most likely going to be a zinc penny right under the grass blades", or "this is probably just going to be a pulltab", and so forth. After flagging about 10 targets (there were thousands of signals), he stopped me and said that this # of flags would keep him busy for the entire next day! Because each signal must be GPS'd, and have paragraphs written about each thing, blah blah blah.
So if you thought this would just give license to go metal detect historically themed state owned preserved sites in your state, ........ it certainly isn't going to be the way us hobbyists approach things (hear a beep, dig it up, and look at the danged item).
This isn't to say you can't already help them on their meticulous 8 x 8 pits (that they take weeks to do a single pit!). As I say, simply befriend them, and after getting to be in their inner-circle, presto, offer the aid of the tool of the detector. Colleges in your area may offer classes on archaeology, for instance. Enroll in the classes, and field exercises are usually par for the course. And with the exposure, you'll get to learn who the practicing (ie.: career for park's dept's purposes) archies are, since they often use student labor help.
Your idea is noble, but you have to remember: Most all of the time, the goals and methods of archaeologists are NOT what our goals and methods are. There is a very real disconnect between the two camps. And that is an animosity that I don't think you are going to get legislated away. As much as I wish archie's would love us, and bless us, it simply is not going to happen, the moment they hear that you go out and help yourself on other locations (locations which are not currently under their say-so). Because the intrinsic nature of our hobby, is diametrically opposed to their goals.
So if you really want to close that divide, simply become "one of them", by getting into their inner circles, with the actual memberships and such. Be prepared to not mention metal detecting initially, and to simply contribute by attending meetings, docenting tours at museums, archiving help in back rooms, go to student-help digs, etc... The later, once you know an archie or two on a first-name basis, your actions/suggestions might not run afoul of the opposed goals of our hobby, verses theirs.
