US Forest Service, Region 5 Tasks GeomorphIS to Develop Heritage Strategy

The USDA Forest Service, Region 5, Deputy Regional Forester for Resources has tasked GeomorphIS to review, analyze, and make recommendations regarding the use of heritage surveys in the Region. Greater efficiency is necessary for Region 5 to meet its ecological restoration goals, including vegetation treatments. The National Historic Preservation Act (section 106) and relevant national direction (36 CFR 800) require identification and evaluation (surveys) be completed to account for effects of undertakings on historic properties. The commitment of time and money to complete these surveys can be considerable and may be a limiting factor to increasing pace and scale of restoration without a commensurate increase in resource protection for heritage resources. There are streamlined section 106 compliance procedures already in place. However, conflicting interpretations of 36 CFR 800 and restrictive elements written into the R5 Programmatic Agreement may be hindering their use. For this project, a GeomorphIS Program Manager/Resource Specialist will work directly with Region 5 managers and staff to assist in the development of the streamline heritage strategy.