Section 106

WHAT IS Section 106?

Section 106 of the National Historic Prevention Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties that are listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Section 106 process calls for a consultative process with the agency, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and interested community members known together as the consulting parties. The consultation meetings address the principal subjects:

• • Identification of Listed and Eligible Resources
  • Determination of Potential Adverse Effects from the project
  • Determination of Measure to Avoid, Minimize, or Mitigate Adverse Effects

Following the consultation, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is developed that defines the adverse effects, if any, and defines the measures to be taken.

In conjunction with the preparation of an Update of the Inventory of Standing Structures (Inventory Update), consultation meetings were held on January 30, 2017, March 29, 2017, and December 6, 2017. These meetings addressed issues relative to the identification of resources. The Inventory Update currently is being reviewed by the SHPO. Once that review is complete, the consultations will resume. All individuals previously accepted as consulting parties will again be included. If you wish to be considered as a consulting party, follow the link below.

A section 106 process was conducted for the 2002 EIS. It was determined that unavoidable visual impacts would occur at the Sterling Grove Historic District, which is listed on the NRHP. The MOA, which expired in July 2017, stipulated actions to minimize or mitigate impacts to the Sterling Grove Historic District and potential effects to archaeologically significant properties.

Currently, the resources thought to be potentially affected by the Refinement Alternatives include Sterling Grove Historic District, Freetown-Port Rico Historic District, and archaeological site that may be identified.