A National Perspective on Cultural Resource Management Best Practices in Transportation

Archeology

Owen Lindauer, Ph.D, RPAOffice of Project Development and

Environmental ReviewFederal Highway Administration

Best Archeological PracticesPractices to save money

Saving money for the project Saving money for the program

Practices that save timeReducing or eliminating sources of delayPractices that increase efficiency

Practices that best preserve cultural resourcesThrough avoidance of adverse impactsThrough education

Including:Best Treatments of Archeological Record

Through preventing unnecessary damageThrough well thought out strategiesThrough research opportunities taken

Best Treatments of People Who Care about the Archeological RecordThrough thoughtful consideration of their

concernsThrough excellent communication

Best Treatments of People Who Care about the ProjectThrough thoughtful consideration their

concernsThrough excellent planning

Best Practices to save money: Saving money for the project

Engage (hire) the best qualified/experienced people

Have a plan/process and schedule prepared at the outset

Ensure there is excellent communication among those on the project team and with stakeholders

Utilize Programmatic Approaches Predictive modeling to limit survey

effortsStandardized treatments and sampling

Best Practices to save money: Saving money for your programConsider whether sole source or

competitive contract procurements are most cost effective

Conduct periodic program assessments on what your program has gained for services provided

Develop and implement peer review for contracts and deliverables

Encourage the search for efficiencies

Practices that save time: reducing or eliminating sources of delay Ensure adequacy of deliverablesDon’t put off to tomorrow what you can do todayTake care in risk-based decision makingEnsure there is excellent communication among

those on the project team and with stakeholdersUtilize Programmatic Approaches

Concurrent rather than sequential reviewsEstablish approaches for handling emergencies,

discoveries, handling of human remains

Practices that best preserve cultural resources: through avoidance of adverse impactsLimit or reduce the depth of project

impactsEncourage avoidance as well as long term

preservation through incorporation Raise awareness of archeological sites to

responsible local groups Make the best use of current technologies

Practices that best preserve cultural resources: through educationShare important data recovered through

public educationEmphasize stewardship through

educational outreachEncourage participation of regional and

national conferencesEnhance preservation through publication