Cultural Resources are tangible remains of past human activity. These may include buildings; structures; prehistoric sites; historic or prehistoric objects or collection; rock inscription; earthworks, canals, or landscapes. These nonrenewable resources may yield unique information about past societies and environments, and provide answers for modern day social and conservation problems. Although many have been discovered and protected, there are numerous forgotten, undiscovered, or unprotected cultural resources in rural America.
The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Directory of USDA/NRCS Cultural Resources Coordinators and Specialists (PDF; 236 KB)
Contact information for NRCS' cultural resources coordinators and specialists in State and Regional Offices, Centers, and other offices
Indigenous Stewardship Methods and NRCS Conservation Practices Guidebook (PDF; 1 MB)
NRCS' Nationwide Programmatic Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (PDF; 439 KB) NRCS' umbrella document for streamlining procedures to protect historic properties.
25 Simple Things You Can Do to Promote the Public Benefits of Archaeology (PDF; 18 KB)
Compilation of State and Tribal Laws and Regulations
State laws often require treatment of burial sites and associated resources, and most carry penalties for failure to comply.
In response to increasing concerns over the looting of cultural resources, including sites containing human remains and funerary objects, many states and tribes have enacted legislation and codes to project burial sites. These laws and codes often require special treatment of burial sites and objects and may have penalties for failure to comply. This project (the map) is a compilation of exiting state and tribal cultural resources laws and codes and we encourage you to review and comment, and suggest additional information and web links.
Click on any state in the map to view available information on its State and Tribal Laws and Regulations. The information contained on this web site is to provide you with basic information and is not a substitute for legal counsel.
The following National Statement of Work Templates require Microsoft Word:
Cultural Resources Evaluations (DOC; 35 KB)
Cultural Resources Archival Research (DOC; 36 KB)
Cultural Resources Identification Surveys (DOC; 50 KB)
Questions and comments are welcome and encouraged. Please address all correspondences to Elisha Mackling, Nebraska NRCS Cultural Resources Specialist, at elisha.mackling@ne.usda.gov.
