Protecting Cultural Resources

Cultural resources are tangible remains of past human activity. They are important to our nation because they tell the story of our past and can provide solutions to modern problems. Much of their meanings are tied to their specific locations. They are non-renewable and irreplaceable if removed or damaged.

The Governor’s Executive Order 21-02 requires most RCO-funded projects to be reviewed for their potential harm to cultural resources.

Grant applicants should request funding to do this work in their applications.

RCO leads the review process for most projects from local governments, tribes, and nonprofits. State and federal agency applicants review their own projects.

Process Details

Project Applicants and Sponsors

Consultants

Types of Cultural Resources

Cultural resources encompass all the physical evidence of past human activity. They include the following:

Archaeological sites or objects
Built resources older than 50 years, including buildings and structures, transmission lines, bulkheads, and levees
Traditional cultural places and sacred sites
Sites of significant events
Historic locations for an activity, such as trails, petroglyphs, village sites, or battlefields
Historic landscapes, earthworks, and canals
Prehistoric sites
Historic or prehistoric objects or collections

Protected Archaeological Information

Information that identifies the location of archaeological sites or the sites of traditional religious ceremonial uses is exempt from public disclosure. This may include archaeological investigation reports, archaeological site forms, site maps, and photographs. Keeping this information private may prevent looting or disturbance and may help ensure continued use of the area by traditional religious practitioners.