- What
is Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act?
- What
is Section 106 applied?
- Who is the State Historic Preservation Officer?
- What
is the role of SHPO?
- What
are historic properties?
- What is the goal of a Phase I archaeological investigation?
- What
field method are used for a Phase I archaeological investigation?
- What type of information is gathered in a Phase I archaeological investigation?
What is Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act?
Section 106 of NHPA requires each Federal agency to identify and assess the effects of its actions on historic resources. The responsible Federal agency must consult with appropriate State and local officials, Indian tribes, applicants for Federal assistance, and members of the public and consider their views and concerns about historic preservation issues when making final project decisions.
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Section 106 applies when two thresholds are met: there is a Federal or federally licensed action, including grants, licenses, and permits, and that action has the potential to affect properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
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Who is the State Historic Preservation Officer?
The governor of the state designates the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).
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State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) carry out the national historic preservation program as delegates of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). It is their responsibility to review all federal projects for impact on historic properties under Section 106 of the NHPA.
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Historic property means any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places. This term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties.
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What is the goal of a Phase I archaeological investigation?
The goal of a Phase I archaeological investigation is twofold:
1) identify the presence of a site (both vertical and horizontal limits), and
2) determine whether or not it retains integrity.Back to Cultural Resources Management
What field methods are used for a Phase I archaeological investigation?
Depending on the context of the investigation, field methods could include: surface walkover, controlled surface collection, coring/auguring, shovel testing, trenching or geophysical testing.
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What type of information is gathered in a Phase I archaeological investigation?
The investigation will document the type of property identified, property boundaries, field methods, vegetation cover, soil type, degree of disturbance, proximity to water, topography, presence of cultural features, artifact density, presence of diagnostic artifacts, context and cultural affiliation.
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National Environmental Policy Act
- What
is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969?
- How
does NEPA operate?
- What
does NEPA require?
- What
does an EIS document?
-
What
is the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act of 1973?
- What
is an EAW?
- Who
is responsible for preparing the EAW?
- How long does it take to complete an EAW?
What is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is our basic national charter for the protection of the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals and provides the process for carrying out the policy.
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NEPA states that all federal agencies shall "utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in planning and in decision-making which may have an impact on man's environment."
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NEPA requires federal agencies to include a detailed statement known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation and other major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
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An EIS documents: "(i) The environmental impacts of the proposed action, (ii) Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented, (iii) Alternatives to the proposed action, (iv) The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and (v) Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented."
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What is the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act of 1973?
This act established a formal process for reviewing the environmental impacts of major developmental projects. The process, adopted by the Environmental Quality Board, is the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW).
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An EAW is a screening tool used to determine whether a full EIS is needed. The worksheet is a six-page questionnaire about the project's environmental setting, the potential for environmental impacts and plans to mitigate those impacts.
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Who is responsible for preparing the EAW?
The responsible governmental unit (RGU) is responsible for preparing the EAW. The RGU is the unit with the greatest responsibility for overseeing the project. The RGU often hires a consultant to prepare the EAW.
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How long does it take to complete an EAW?
It generally takes 3-4 months to complete the EAW process.
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- Why
has asbestos been so widely used?
- Why
is asbestos dangerous?
- Where
can asbestos building material be found?
- How
do I know if there is asbestos in my home or work environment?
- If
asbestos is discovered in my building, does it have to be removed?
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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Asbestos is mined from the ground in the US, Canada, and South Africa in much the same way as iron, lead and copper. There are many varieties of asbestos: the three (3) most common are chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. Chryostile is the most commonly used asbestos in building materials.
Why has asbestos been so widely used?
The superior durability and resistance to heat have made asbestos desirable to manufacturers and builders. It is a strong and flexible material, and it will not burn. It conducts electricity poorly and insulates effectively. It is also corrosion resistant. Pound for pound, asbestos is stronger than steel. Asbestos has been so widely used because few other substances possess these properties.
There are three (3) exposure routes for asbestos fibers: (1) inhalation, (2) ingestion, and (3) skin contact. Asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes airborne and is inhaled. Asbestos fibers inhaled into the deep lungs remain in the body forever and are impossible to remove. When asbestos accumulates in the body, there is a strong likelihood of developing lung cancer, mesotheilioma or asbestosis.
Where can asbestos building material be found?
Asbestos is commonly found in structures built before 1970 and is still used today in some construction materials. The materials in your home or work environment that may contain asbestos include: floor tiles and mastic, plaster, acoustic ceiling tiles, roofing materials, exterior siding, piping or duct insulation, joint compound, spray-on fireproofing and fire doors.
How do I know if there is asbestos in my home or work environment?
You cannot tell for sure if something is asbestos by just looking at it. To tell whether or not a material is asbestos, a trained asbestos inspector must take a sample of the material. The sample must be analyzed by an accredited laboratory to determine of the material contains asbestos.
If asbestos is discovered in my building, does it have to be removed?
No. Asbestos material, if maintained in good condition, is not required to be removed. If asbestos is disturbed so that the damage is beyond repair, the material should be abated. Asbestos abatement should only be conducted by certified asbestos workers.
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