Cultural & Communities Studies Links

Division of Environmental Analysis (DEA) LINKS

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files. Adobe Acrobat is required to edit online forms and save them to your computer.

logo

Caltrans > DEA > Cultural Resources Issues

Text Size [ + ] [ - ]
|
Print
|
Email

Last Updated: Monday, October 29, 2012 9:58 AM

Cultural Resources Issues

The public is concerned about how cultural resources are affected by Caltrans projects. Responsible consideration of cultural values in the course of project planning and implementation helps avoid conflict and build support for Caltrans transportation objectives. This concern is manifested by a suite of laws and regulations that relate to archaeological, historical and social-cultural resources and issues.

Caltrans complies with federal laws for transportation projects with federal funding. This process is commonly known as "Section 106" (of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966). Significant non-archaeological resources are also subject to Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966.

Caltrans must also comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The concerns of Native Americans are also addressed by a variety of specialized federal and state laws and regulations.

The surviving traces of the historic and prehistoric past are non-renewable resources, easily degraded or destroyed by highway projects unless an appropriate effort is made to identify, evaluate, and protect them. Documenting the often-ephemeral traces of our collective history adds to the understanding and appreciation of California's past by future generations.

The role and the updated list of Heritage Resources Coordinators is available here.

The California Historical Resource Status Codes is now available.

Section 106 Programmatic Agreement

The Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (106 PA) among FHWA, SHPO, ACHP, and Caltrans, effective January 1, 2004.

Addenda to the January 1, 2004 Programmatic Agreement for Section 106 among FHWA, SHPO, ACHP and Caltrans pursuant to Sections 6004 and 6005 of SAFETEA-LU, effective September 28, 2007.

Annual and Biennial Reports on the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement

July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 Annual Report: Implementation of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (September 2009)

PA Annual Report: Implementation of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement

September 2011 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011)
September 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008)
September 2007 (January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007)
October 2006 (January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006)
September 2005 (January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005)

Results: Statewide Consistency Review of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, January 1, 2004 to June 30 2004 (November 2004)

Notes from the Programmatic Agreement Teleconferences with CCSO and District Personnel

Caltrans has conducted a series of state-wide teleconferences to address frequently asked questions about the 106 PA and other cultural resources issues among District cultural resources staff and Headquarters. Notes from these meetings may be viewed below:

2006

October 4, Special focus on Screened Undertakings

March 23, Topics include: Training; Emergency projects and; Discovery plans.

2005

October 6, Topics include: 30-day review turnaround at SHPO; Establishing ESAs on private land; and projects on Tribal Land.

March 3, Topics include: APEs; SHPO staff changes; working with local agencies; and HPSR short form template.

January 11 Special focus on Standard Conditions for No Adverse Effect findings. Also APEs.

2004

October 14, Special focus on screened undertakings.

July 22, Topics include: APEs; getting good project descriptions; “grandfathering ” projects; and Native American consultation for screened undertakings.

May 27, Topics include: Environmental Handbook Vol II; APE for sidewalk projects and rural areas; documentation for trash dumps exempted under PA Attachment 4; peer review for Local Assistance documents; ESAs; availability of HPSR/HRCR forms.

April 8, Topics include: PA training for local agencies; screened undertakings; processing consultation packages; APEs for larger rural properties.

February 26, Topics include: exempt properties; expired "interim policy;" 30 day SHPO review period; consultant qualifications; and forms and formats.

January 22, Topics covered include: forms and formats; exempt properties; effect findings; APE mapping; "grandfathering" projects; and Local Assistance.

Section 106 Checklist

Section 106 PA Checklist: Helpful in planning appropriate Section 106 documentation under the 106 PA.

Seismic Retrofit PA

Seismic Retrofit Programmatic Agreement between the ACHP, FHWA, California SHPO and Caltrans. 3-21-95. (1.0 MB)

Templates

The templates listed below are for use in completing cultural resources studies for Caltrans and Local Agency projects. More templates may be added as they become available.

Compliance Document Templates:

Historic Property Survey Report (HPSR) short-form (rev. 7/22/10)
Historic Property Survey Report (HPSR) narrative format (rev. 7/22/10)
Historical Resources Compliance Report (HRCR) short form (rev. 7/22/10)
Historical Resources Compliance Report (HRCR) narrative format (rev. 7/22/10)
Letter Report Template(rev. 7/22/10)
Letter Report narrative format (rev. 7/22/10)
Supplemental HPSR short form (rev. 9/1/10)
Supplemental HPSR narrative format (rev. 7/22/10)
Supplemental HRCR short form (rev. 7/22/10)
Supplemental HRCR narrative format (rev. 7/22/10)
Section 106/CE Cultural Resources Checklist (rev. 7/22/10)
Sacred Lands Inventory Form
Native American Heritage Commission Sacred Lands-File and Contact Form

DPR 523 Form Templates:

Character Defining Features Templates:

Publications

Public Outreach: La Grange Historical Site Lesson Plans:
- Grade 7
- Grade 12
Brochure: Historic Preservation and Caltrans: Archaeology
Brochure: Historic Preservation and Caltrans: Buildings and Bridges.
Historic Highway Bridges of California - this book presents the results of of the Historic Highway Bridge Inventory with a narrative history of bridges and bridge building in California.

The following documents are available on the Standard Environmental Reference.

Caltrans Guidelines for Identifying and Evaluating Historic Landscapes.
Index to California Highways & Public Works Magazine - a useful reference for those researching various aspects of California's transportation history.