Section 106 Projects

By law, U.S. citizens have a voice when Federal actions affect properties that qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, the Nation's official list of historic properties.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires Federal activities to take into account the effects of their actions and undertakings on historic properties. The basic steps are:

• Initiate Section 106 Process. Those undertaking Federally sanctioned or permitted projects that might affect historic properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, must initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer/Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO/THPO).
  
  
• Identify historic properties. Identifying historic properties requires surveys and studies conducted by specialists meeting the National Park Services Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards.
  
  
• Assess adverse effects to historic properties by rules defined in the regulations. If no adverse effect, proceed with project, if adverse effect, then identify ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effects.
  
  
• Resolve adverse effects. Consultation should produce a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), that outlines measures to be taken to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects.
  
  
• Implementation. Proceed with project in accordance with terms of the MOA.
  
  
  The complete regulations: 36 CFR Part 800 "Protection of Historic Properties"

Featured Projects

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Recently Completed Advent Christian Church, Dover, NH This modest wood-frame church was built in 1872 in the Stick/Eastlake style. The congregation rennovated and expanded the building several times, abandoning it in 1978 for a modern building outside town. The City acquired and further altered it for use as an adult learning center. Our study concluded the building lacked the architectural integrity needed for National Register listing and the NHSHPO concurred.
Recently Completed Dover Armory, Dover, NH The Dover Armory was built in 1930 to house Battery B, 197th Regiment, Coast Artillery Anti Aircraft (AA) of the New Hampshire National Guard. Brick with Gothic-style details, it was one of the state's finest, most modern armories when completed. The drill hall is 60 x 90 feet with a high ceiling carried on riveted steel trusses. A special room housed a seven-ton anti-aircraft artillery gun that could be practice-aimed through folding doors at targets hung from the drill hall ceiling. Our study found the Armory eligible for National Register listing, allowing the owners to obtain grants to convert the building to a museum.
Susquehanna Depot, Pennsylvania With the building of the landmark Starucca Viaduct in 1847, the Erie Railroad built shops just to the west on flats alongside the Susquehanna River. A town grew around them, more shops and more town followed into the 20th century. State highway improvements required extensive Section 106 work including historic property surveys, Historic Structure Engineering Report and draft National Register Historic District Nomination.
Ridgewood Station NJ Accessibility Improvements This striking Mission Revival Station was built in 1916 by the Erie Railroad on their main line. Listed in the NR and NJ Register and a Key Station in the New Jersey Transit System,  it was designated for rehabilitation to provide ADA handicap accessibility. This multi-phase project included historic district survey, impact assessment, alternatives analysis, preparation of interagency agreement documents and Application for Project Authorization to New Jersey Historic Sites Council.
Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, NH Completed in 1853 and one of the oldest continuously operating railroads in the U.S., the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad retains many original late 19th/early 20th c. stations & bridges. For the Louis Berger Group, Inc. and NHDOT, Richard  Casella inventoried and assessed all historic resources along the 52  mile NH section, Maine to Vermont. The line was determined eligible for the National Register as a Linear Historic District. Subsequent work has included a branch line survey and HAER documentation.