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Cultural Resources
Cultural resources are an important concern during the planning
for the US 219, Meyersdale to I-68 project. These include historic
properties and archaeological sites representing both the historic
settlement of the area and the Native American occupation that spans
the thousands of years before the first European settlers arrived.
Historic properties that would receive attention include buildings
associated with people or events important in local or national
history, buildings or other structures (bridges, for example) that
represent excellent examples of a particular style or the work of
a major designer or builder, and districts comprised of buildings
that reflect a specific period or theme in American history. Archaeological
sites might include Native American camps, villages, quarries and
workshops, as well as historic residential, commercial or industrial
sites.
The project team completed a historic structures survey of the project
area and presented the results in a Historic Structures Survey/Determination
of Eligibility Report (2004) that identified four existing and 14
potential National Register properties within the project's area
of potential effects. These were all individual properties; no historic
districts or rural historic landscapes were identified. Project
historians mapped the historic property boundaries for each National
Register property to allow project planners to consider how the
property might be affected by the project. Future work will include
a survey and assessment of archaeological sites within the preferred
alternative.
Federal and state laws provide protection for significant cultural
resources that might be affected by the highway project. To adequately
address this concern involves several steps: (1) identifying both
known and unrecorded historic properties and archaeological sites;
(2) evaluating these resources to determine whether they meet national
standards of significance; and (3) either avoiding them or otherwise
mitigating the effects the project might have on them. At each stage,
information about important cultural resources influences the design
of the project, with the goal of protecting these resources while
advancing the project. The help of the public in providing information
about archaeological and historic sites and advice on their treatment
is crucial in this process.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal
agencies to consider the effects of their actions (projects) on
historic properties. The goal of this process is to:
- Identify historic properties potentially affected by the
project
- Assess the effects
- Seek ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse effects
on historic properties
You can participate by submitting in writing a request to become
a Consulting Party to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
in care of PENNDOT District 9-0, describing relevance or interest
to the project. These requests will be evaluated by the Federal
agencies in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
as well as any other consulting parties. If approved, the individual
or organization will become a Consulting Party to the Section 106
process.
Reference: Federal Register, Volume 64, No. 95 - Title 36, Chapter
VII, Part 800.
If you know of any potential cultural resources in the area, please
contact us by e-mailing dhhoover@mccormicktaylor.com or write to:
US 219 Project
C/o McCormick, Taylor Inc.
3133 New Germany Road, Suite 64
Ebensburg, PA 15931
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