Cultural and Historical Resources
Our clients and attorneys have found that many federal agencies and members of the public do not fully understand the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). As a result, our thorough understanding of the law, the Section 106 process, and the underlying goals and principles of the NHPA is of enormous value in representing our clients' interests. We also frequently advise clients on the applicability of historic and cultural resource requirements in the context of NEPA, including advising clients on the potential exemption from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requirements under NEPA as described in the new national programmatic agreement.
Sample representations include:
- Representing the Georgia State Historic Preservation Section and authorizing the state's submerged cultural resources legislation;
- Advising a large municipality on the historic resource issues raised by public water supply project. In addition to archeological resources, these issues include "traditional cultural properties";
- Evaluating the historical implications of the Yucca Mountain high-level spent nuclear fuel repository; and
- Advising a large wireless communications company on SHPO issues, particularly in Georgia and Virginia.