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NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service

Protecting Cultural Resources on Washington's Private Lands

November 2004

Cultural Resources on Washington's Private Lands

Who Cares about Cultural Resources on Private Lands?

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) does. Cultural Resources are the evidence of past human activities. Cultural resources are unique and non-renewable.

[image:Historic Cabin in Pend Oreille County]

NRCS provides more conservation assistance to Washington private landowners and tribes than any other federal agency. As part of our responsibilities, we must consider impacts of our conservation assistance on resources that are important to us all. NRCS is specifically required by the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and various other State and Federal laws to consider what impacts our conservation programs may have on cultural resources. To ensure protection, NRCS may require a cultural resource inventory as part of the conservation planning process.

What is a Cultural Resource Inventory?

A cultural resource inventory is both a systematic review of records, files, and archived data bases and a survey to determine the past human use of an area. It may be conducted by a qualified cultural resource specialist who meets the professional qualifications required by NRCS.

A cultural resources inventory looks for historical and archeological sites, artifacts, and areas that may be traditionally important to various groups of people. Cultural resources may generally be defined as sites or artifacts 50 years old or older. They can be found throughout the landscape. These sites can be considered to be significant (eligible for the National Register of Historic Places) if they meet certain historical, scientific, or architectural criteria.

What if Cultural Resources are Found on my Land?

In almost all cases, the NRCS will be able to design conservation practices that will avoid impacts to important cultural resources or propose alternative acceptable practices. The NRCS may also consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, cultural resource specialists, or other scientists to best determine how to protect important cultural resource sites.

Identified cultural resources remain the property of the landowner who is ultimately the best steward.

[image: Historic Cistern]

Both cultural resource inventories and consultations are without cost to the landowner. They are fully confidential and non-public, and can only be conducted with landowner consent.

Finally, be aware that in Washington, it is against state laws to destroy or collect artifacts from known archeological sites on private lands without first obtaining a permit from the State Historic Preservation Officer. Disturbing human remains, burials, or graves is a felony.

[image: Projectile Point Types]

Questions can be directed to:
Dr. Rob Whitlam at (360) 586-3080, RobW@cted.wa.gov or
Stephenie Kramer, (360) 586-3083, StephenieK@cted.wa.gov.

In order to meet our mandated responsibilities, NRCS must consider the effects of its conservation programs on our nation's heritage.

Prior to helping you install conservation practices, we may need to conduct a cultural resources inventory. This inventory will ensure that our assistance will not damage important cultural resources you may have on your lands.

• Confidential
• Without cost to the landowner
• Only to be conducted with land owner permission.

[image: Historic Glass Artifact]

NRCS helps landowners and tribes steward historic properties for future generations.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA - NRCS
316 W. Boone Ave. Suite 450
Rock Point Tower
Spokane, WA 99201-2348
Phone: (509) 323-2973
Fax: (509) 323-2909
Email: Dennis.Robinson@wa.usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age. disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation. and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print. audiotape. etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights. Room 326-W, Whit ten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington. DC 20250-9110 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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