Introduction In its role overseeing the Section 106 review process the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) works with a range of stakeholders to ensure that Section 106 reviews are carried out effectively and without unnecessary delay. In this capacity we occasionally receive inquiries regarding the time limits that govern consultation between lead federal agencies and others in the Section 106 review process.

This program comment provides the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with an alternative way to comply with its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 54 U.S.C. 306108, and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800 (Section 106), regarding vacant and underutilized properties.

The ACHP developed this toolkit to provide information and guidance on the Section 106 process to parties who are the recipients of, or are applying for federal licenses, permits, assistance, or approvals.

These questions and answers have been prepared by ACHP to provide users of the Section 106 process with further guidance on interpreting the provisions of the new regulations.

Burial sites, human remains, and funerary objects have intentionally and unintentionally been damaged, destroyed, or desecrated by public and private developments. This policy statement, intended to be incorporated into Section 106 reviews and state and local guidance, emphasizes not disturbing sites when possible, consultation and deference to descendant communities, and continued educational efforts on these issues.

These recommendations regarding energy resources will be useful to consider for future cases involving energy and historic preservation.

This document answers questions regarding federal permits, licenses, and assistance between federal agencies and Indian tribes.

The proposed TransWest Express Transmission Line would move energy from Wyoming through Colorado and Utah, ending in southern Nevada, and provide power for up to 1.8 million homes in the southwest each year. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) consulted with more than 80 parties since 2012 in order to take effects on historic properties from this lengthy transmission line into account.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), worked with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) to develop a prototype programmatic agreement (PPA) under 36 CFR § 800.14(b)(4) of the regulations implementing Section 106, “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800). The PPA was authorized in 2014.