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

Introduction Consultation is the heart of the Section 106 process. Federal agencies are required to identify and engage a variety of consulting parties during the steps they follow to meet their legal obligations. Principal among these consulting parties are State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs). Federal agencies also have special consultation responsibilities with respect to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs).

In accordance with Secs. 800.5 and 800.6 of its revised regulations (36 CFR part 800, "Protection of Historic Properties," published [May 18, 1999]) implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is publishing a recommended approach for consultation by Federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and others on the effects of Federal, federally assisted, and federally licensed or -permitted undertakings on archeological sites. ACHP has determined that issuance of this guidance is consistent with ACHP's revised regulations. The full text of the guidance is reproduced under the Supplementary Information section of this notice.

The 1992 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act recognized and expanded the role of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in the national preservation program. In response to these changes, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) revised its regulations to clarify their role in the Section 106 process.

The ACHP’s Digital Information Task Force focused on formulating recommendations for how the availability of digital and geospatial information about historic properties can be improved to inform federal project planning.

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 handbook provides advice on coordinating NEPA and Section 106 compliance procedures to improve environmental reviews.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) frequently receives inquiries regarding the applicability of reviews conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) to shale gas development projects. Given that much of the nation’s shale gas development occurs on private property and is carried out by private developers, there remains some confusion as to whether and when federal permits, approvals, or licenses that may invoke Section 106 review are required for these activities. Recognizing the public interest in the potential for shale gas development to affect historic properties, the ACHP has prepared this primer to assist stakeholders and the public in understanding when opportunities for participating in the Section 106 review of such activities may exist

With passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966, Congress made the Federal Government a full partner and a leader in historic preservation. The Federal Government's role would be to provide leadership for preservation, and foster conditions under which modern society and prehistoric and historic resources can exist in productive harmony.

The 1992 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) included provisions for Indian tribes to assume the responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) on tribal lands, and establish the position of a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO).1 The regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA use the term “THPO” to mean the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer under Section 101(d)(2) of the NHPA.