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An early 20th century cobalt glass medicine bottle found during a WSDOT cultural resources survey.
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The Cultural Resources Program coordinates archaeological and historical work for WSDOT Regions, divisions, and project offices. We help the agency comply with state and federal cultural resource laws that apply to archaeological sites and historic structures.
Historians, historic architects, and archaeologists make up the program staff. We work on WSDOT projects, provide training for staff, advise agency decision makers, and present at public meetings and professional conferences. Our Program mission is to provide the best quality cultural resources management to the highest standards of our profession, while supporting the WSDOT mission to keep people and business moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems.
Visit our Cultural Resources Stewardship Awards page to learn who's been honored for their exceptional work in preservation, mitigation, and consultation on WSDOT projects.
Consultation with Native American tribes, the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), federal agencies, and the public is part of our job. We also help WSDOT determine a project's effects on historic structures and archaeological sites, and assist with planning to avoid, minimize or mitigate those effects.
For more information on how WSDOT complies with laws, regulations, and policies, visit our Cultural Resources Compliance page.
Contacts
Questions about the Cultural Resources Program and the work we do? Please contact the Cultural Resources Program Manager or refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. Looking for information on a specific project or region activity? Contact that region's or program's Cultural Resources Specialist (CRS) (pdf 27 kb).
Information on consultation with Native American Tribes can be found at the WSDOT Tribal Liaison Office site.
Statewide Programmatic Agreement
WSDOT entered into a Programmatic Agreement (PA), effective March 21, 2007, between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) that authorizes WSDOT to consult with tribes and DAHP on FHWA funded projects. The Statewide PA also identifies certain projects or activities as exempt from the review process.
WSDOT projects that do not receive federal funds or require a federal permit must comply with the Governor's Executive Order 05-05 (GEO 05-05). GEO 05-05 is a similar review process to Section 106 but is required for projects receiving capitol construction funds. Please refer to our Cultural Resources Compliance site for more information on Section 106 Review and Compliance, the Statewide PA, GEO 05-05 and Project Exemptions.
WSDOT Highways & Local Programs projects must also comply with the PA, but are tracked separately.
Section 106 Updates
To receive information and updates on Section 106 Projects please subscribe to the Cultural Resources Program email list serve. You will be notified of quarterly updates to the Exempted Projects Tracking Sheet, Cultural Resource Training opportunities and other Cultural Resources Program news (5-10 emails per year on average).
Unanticipated Discovery
All WSDOT projects that involve ground disturbance operate under an unanticipated discovery plan that describes what will be done if archaeological materials or human remains are discovered during project activities.
Cultural Resources Training
Each spring we partner with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and Washington State Parks to offer a 3.5-day Cultural Resources Training at the Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg. The training promotes awareness, preservation and stewardship of Washington’s cultural resources. Enrollment is open to all, however, content has been designed specifically to address cultural resources management issues facing government agencies (including tribal governments). For more information please contact the Erin Littauer, Cultural Resources Specialist.
Featured Projects
Learn More!
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A WSDOT consulting archaeologist examines sediment layers in a site. |
- Visit the WSDOT Historic Bridges site to view highlights of Washington's most significant Transportation structures.
- The Ethnobotany and Cultural Resources List identifies plants found along the highway Right-of-Way in Western Washington of traditional cultural significance and use.