Any paleontological resource found or located upon any land owned by the state or its political subdivisions may not be destroyed, defaced, altered, removed, or otherwise disposed of in any manner without approval of the state geologist. The state geologist shall determine the significance of the paleontological resource to the understanding of the paleontologic and geologic history of North Dakota. It is the responsibility of the state and its political subdivisions to cooperate with the state geologist in identifying and implementing any reasonable alternative to destruction or alteration of any paleontological resource.