Section 3: Cultural Resources
Anchor: #i1004105Overview
This section provides TxDOT districts and divisions with overall direction for planning and handling proposed projects and activities involving historic properties.
Anchor: #i1004115Early Identification
TxDOT is responsible for considering the potential effects of projects on cultural resources as early in the project planning and development process as possible. The level of early cultural resource efforts depends on the scope of a project and its potential to impact cultural resources. Early cultural resources identification efforts are especially recommended for projects involving substantial new right of way acquisitions and/or shifts in roadway alignment.
Early efforts to identify cultural resources within proposed project corridors/alignments can facilitate district efforts to select alignments and develop project designs with the least possible impact to cultural resources. Personnel in the Cultural Resources Management Section (CRM) of ENV can perform early identification efforts at the request of district personnel.
Anchor: #i1004132Contact State Historic Preservation Officer (THC/SHPO)
ENV coordinates all projects with THC/SHPO, including those prepared and developed by consultants. The basis of the coordination is the programmatic agreement (PA) and/or the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Preliminary archeological research for any potentially significant sites or properties includes record searches, maps, or other archival information. Examples of data sources include the site files and maps at THC and TARL, the National Register of Historic Places, Historic Sites Atlas, soil survey maps, county records and county historical commissions.
Anchor: #i1004152Preliminary Research
Before any field inspection of a proposed project area, perform historical/archeological research, for any potentially significant sites or properties, including record searches, maps or other archival information. Examples of data sources include the site files and maps at THC and TARL, the National Register of Historic Places, soil survey maps, county records and city/county historical societies.