Cultural resources

Cultural resources

The mission of the Wisconsin Department Transportation's (WisDOT) cultural resources team is to balance the state’s transportation needs with cultural resources stewardship. This area reviews Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state assisted WisDOT transportation projects for potential impacts to cultural resources pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, Wisconsin state statute 44.40 Historic Preservation and Wisconsin state statute 157.70 burial sites preservation. While the FHWA has delegated Section 106 responsibilities to WisDOT, the federal agency remains ultimately responsible for the process. In addition cultural resources reviews are conducted on rails, harbors, transit, aeronautics, and other federal/state assisted programs.

This staff works with federal, state and local agencies, tribal governments, the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and other stakeholders to ensure that impacts to Wisconsin’s historic and cultural resources are considered early in the transportation planning process. Early consideration of historic and cultural resources helps preserve the state’s rich historic heritage while eliminating and reducing project delays.

If you or your firm are new to completing section 106 for WisDOT projects, please reach out to DOTCulturalresources@dot.wi.gov to discuss process and procedures.

FHWA/FRA/USACE/WisDOT Section 106 Delegation Programmatic Agreement (PA)

 Delegation programmatic agreement 11-7-2023

Guidance Documents

FDM Chapter 26 cultural resource preservation (archaeology and history)

Frequently Asked Questions 6-27-2023

MOA/PA Annual Report

2022 Memorandum of Agreement and Programmatic Agreement Annual Report 3-24-2023

Worksheets/forms

Refer to the Forms and tools page for factor sheets and guidance

Screening List

• Section 106 Screening List (updated regularly)
• Box screening submittal process 12-13-2022
• DT1030 Cultural Resources Screening Submittal
• Cultural Resources Screening Process Workflow

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) Notification Process

• Guidance document for THPO notification 11-7-2023
  
• Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) distribution/address list and areas of tribal interest for project notification 11-7-2023
• THPO Notification List for hard copy 11-7-2023
• Tribal Leaders address/distribution list - for cc's 7-31-2023
  

Federal Agency Coordination templates

• FHWA email template (MS Outlook)11-7-2023
  
• FAA (Aeronautics) Email template (MS Outlook) 11-7-2023
• FRA Email Template (MS Outlook) 11-7-2023
• Design Change Email template (MS Outlook) 11-7-2023
• Word document with Federal funding email notification language 11-7-2023

State Agency Coordination templates

• Highways, Aeronautics and Rails State funding email template (MS outlook) 11-7-2023
• Surplus Lands Email Template (MS Outlook) 11-7-2023
• Word document with State funding notification language 11-7-2023

Additional Notifications

• Initial notification to landowner regarding proposed project
• Wisconsin Historical Society local historical society directory

Architecture/History guidance and forms

Guidance

• Architecture/History survey manual 10/28/2022
• Toolkit for the development of Section 106 MOA for above ground resources

Forms

• DT1635 - Section 106 review form
• DT1446 - Architecture/history survey form
• Architecture History Survey Report (AHSR)
• Determination of Eligibility (DOE)
• Determination of Eligibility (DOE) Historic District
• Determination of Eligibility (DOE) Bridge
• Documentation for determination of no adverse effect template 3-3-2023
• Documentation for consultation (DFC) report 3-3-2023
• DT 1320 Transfer of Surplus lands review form

Archaeological/Burial guidance and forms

Guidance

• WHS - qualified archaeologists
• Guide for Public Archaeology
• MOA toolkit

Forms

• DT1635 - Section 106 review form
• DT1459 archaeological literature and records review
• DT1978 archaeological survey field report
• DT1614 checklist of required documentation for cemeteries
• DT2551 Request to Disturb a Human Burial Site
• NPS Form 10-900 National Register of Historic Places registration form (Preferred form for eligibility determination for archaeological sites)
• Documentation for consultation DFC report
• DT 1320 Transfer of Surplus land review form
• DT1919 archaeology survey information transmittal
• ARI form
• ASI Inventory form
• ASI Update form