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Federal Preservation Officer
Cultural Resource Management: Policy and Regulations
Section 106 Notes
Agency and Related Links

Federal Preservation Officer

Stephanie S. Toothman, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science
National Park Service
1849 C St. NW, Room 3128
Washington, DC  20240
Telephone: 202-208-7625

Staff Points of Contact:

Jon Smith
Deputy ADCRPS Preservation Assistance Programs
National Park Service
1201 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202-354-2095

Sande McDermott
Deputy ADCRPS Stewardship and Science Programs
National Park Service
1201 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005 
Telephone: 202-354-2230

Cultural Resource Management: Policy and Regulations

NPS Management Policies
NPS-28, Cultural Resource Management Guideline
NPS-2, Planning Process Guideline
NPS-6, Interpretation and Visitor Services Guideline
NPS-12, NEPA Compliance Guideline
36 CFR Part 18, Leases and Exchanges of Historic Property

The National Park Service contributed to the development of a Programmatic Agreement that establishes a national policy for the protection of cultural resources during emergency response under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contigency Plan. Click here for more information on the PA and the Contingency Plan.

Section 106 Notes

NPS Endorses ACHP Policy Statement on Balancing Cultural and Natural Values

NPS has endorsed the ACHP policy statement, "Balancing Cultural and Natural Values on Federal Lands," which encourages Federal land managers to recognize that cultural and natural values should be considered in an integrated manner to ensure that cultural values are afforded equal consideration.

ACHP's policy statement represents two years of collaboration with NPS, which initiated its own review of its existing policy and guidance based on the principles in ACHP's policy statement. ACHP will use the policy statement as a basis for developing a similar policy to guide other Federal property agencies.

Section 106 participants are encouraged to refer to ACHP's Policy Statement on Balancing Cultural and Natural Values on Federal Lands and NPS's Summary of Policies to factor into Section 106 consultation where cultural and natural values may conflict.

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Nationwide NPS Programmatic Agreement

Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470f), the National Park Service (NPS) on November 14, 2008, executed a nationwide Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) to further integrate the stewardship of historic properties into NPS policy, streamline the Section 106 process, and strengthen NPS’ partnership with state and tribal preservation programs across the country.

In 2005, the NPS began its efforts to develop this nationwide PA to replace an outdated agreement. Utilizing an interagency work group, including representatives from the NPS, the ACHP, and NCSHPO, as well as individual tribal advisors, NPS conducted extensive consultation with key stakeholders. As part of this effort, the NPS held regional “listening” sessions to solicit tribal concerns and opinions. Guided by this consultation, NPS continued to refine and improve drafts of the agreement as it responded to the comments received.

The NPS’ efforts represent a model for other federal agencies wishing to develop similar nationwide Programmatic Agreements. The NPS met its goal of creating a new agreement to meet its operational requirements while considering and incorporating the views of State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other interested stakeholders. Read the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement here.

Agency and Related Links

National Park Service home page: www.nps.gov

National Park Service Cultural Resources home page: www.cr.nps.gov

National Parks (select by name, State, region, or theme): www.nps.gov/parks.html

List of Classified Structures (LCS): http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/summary.asp

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