The identification and preservation of our state's cultural
resource heritage is a priority for the Environmental Planning
Group. Cultural resources is a broad term to include archaeological
resources and historic sites.
Each highway project involves a cultural resource assessment
which includes a records search and on-site surveys to identify
possible sites. If sites are found, mitigation involves
avoidance or data recovery, such as in the photo to the
left.
Consultation is made with the State Historic Preservation
Office, Native American Groups, and land resource agencies
to make sure that findings and conclusions satisfy local
and federal laws, including Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
The primary documents involved with cultural resource assessment
include the Consultation Initiation Form, which states
preliminary findings, actual survey reports which
document findings from on-site surveys, and Memorandum
of Agreements, which document specific mitigation measures
for sites that cannot be avoided.
The Guidelines in the right-hand column provide information
to help archaeologists conduct cultural resources investigations
that meet state and federal law and regulations.
