Historic Resources Toolkit
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Historic Resources Toolkit

The requirements for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Antiquities Code of Texas are codified in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and the Texas Natural Resources Code, but the work to satisfy these requirements is conducted under the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Historical Commission. As the PA and MOU are deliberately parallel, the TxDOT review process satisfies all requirements of both the the PA and MOU, and environmental practitioners can use these tools to complete that process.

Questions? Contact the supervisor of the Historical Studies Branch at 512-416-2570.

Process and review aids

Title Date Description
Documentation of Compliance with Historic Resource Monitoring Commitment 06/22 Used to complete the “Perform Historical Studies Monitoring Commitments” Activity in ECOS
Guidance: Historical Studies Review Procedures 01/20 Provides instructional material regarding how to review and process project activities in accordance with TxDOT’s Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Programmatic Agreement and other federal and state preservation laws
Project Coordination Request (PCR) for Historic Studies 07/21 Used to complete the “Perform Historical Studies Project Coordination Request (PCR)” Activity in ECOS
Instructions - Completing Project Coordination Request (PCR) for Historical Studies 05/22 Provides instructions for completing the PCR form
Historic Resources Aggregator 06/21 Used by TxDOT districts and consultants for background study on the presence or absence of known historic properties or districts in a project area.
Guidance: Determining Appropriate Level of Review for Bridge Projects 01/20 To assist in determining if a bridge project qualifies as an Appendix 3 or Appendix 4 action under the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, or requires a full Project Coordination Request form be submitted to TxDOT-ENV.
Guidance: Projects that Do Not Require Review or Coordination for Non-Archeological Historic Property Compliance 01/20 Identifies the types of projects that require no review or coordination regarding potential project effects on non-archeological properties
Cultural Resources Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 10/23 FAQ to share with members of the public interested in cultural resources management work

Agreements

Title Date Description
Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Historical Commission 05/13 Establishes a process that ensures compliance with the ACT for all projects without FHWA involvement and grants authority to TxDOT for the review and approval of projects without direct oversight from the THC
TxDOT – FHWA Section 106 Programmatic Agreement 09/23 Defines TxDOT’s Section 106 process for projects with FHWA involvement. The document includes definitions of Area of Potential Effect, unscreened vs screened undertakings, TxDOT’s consultation process, and a historic bridge management plan

Historic road infrastructure of Texas multiple property survey

Title Date Description
Historic Road Infrastructure of Texas, 1866-1965 05/15 NRHP Multiple Property Form for evaluation of Texas road networks dating from 1866 to 1965

Guidance documents

Title Date Description
Adobe in Texas 11/08 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of historic-age adobe resources
Historic Agricultural Processing Facilities in Texas 04/10 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating NRHP eligibility of historic-age agricultural processing properties
Agricultural Theme Study for Central Texas 09/13 Provides guidelines for identifying, documenting and evaluating the NRHP eligibility of agricultural properties
Agricultural Landscape Development Along US 277 05/03 Describes the history of agriculture, transportation and community development of the architectural resources along US 277 Wichita Falls to Abilene, including a case study of the cotton industry in Haskell
A Field Guide to Gas Stations in Texas 02/17 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating NRHP eligibility of historic-age gas stations
A Field Guide to Industrial Properties in Texas 05/03 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating NRHP eligibility of historic-age industrial properties
A Field Guide to Irrigation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley 2009 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating NRHP eligibility of historic-age irrigation resources in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
A Guide to the Research and Documentation of Local Texas Bridges 10/13 Provides guidance on how to conduct research and prepare National Register of Historic Places documentation for local Texas Bridges
Guidelines for Assessing the NRHP Eligibility of Commercial Historic Districts in Crossroads Communities in Northwest-Central Texas 08/11 Provides guidance for evaluating the NRHP eligibility of historic downtowns in crossroads communities
Historic-Age Motels in Texas from the 1950s to the 1970s: An Annotated Guide to Selected Studies 03/11 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating NRHP eligibility of historic-age motor courts and motels
South Texas Ranching 04/07 Provides the results of a study and preliminary NRHP eligibility assessments undertaken for TxDOT to objectively and independently identify and analyze historic ranches for the proposed construction of a segment of new Interstate 69 corridor through South Texas
Texas General Aviation 03/08 Provides guidance for surveying and evaluating the NRHP eligibility of historic-age general aviation facilities and resources
Texas Roadside Parks Study: Historic Context and National Register Requirements 05/15 An historic overview of the development and evolution of roadside parks and rest areas constructed by TxDOT from 1930-2015. Includes National Register of Historic Places Registration Requirements for roadside parks in Texas
Guide to Assessment of Historic Roads in Texas 02/21 Guidance for professional CRM staff surveying and analyzing historic roadways for a TxDOT project
TxDOT Tribal Histories Project 07/22 Used to assist in the production of TxDOT Transportation projects

Survey standards

Title Date Description
Documentation Standard for Preparing an Historic Resources Research Design 05/22 Guidance on how to prepare historical studies research design reports for FHWA and state funded projects in compliance with the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement and the Antiquities Code of Texas, Memorandum of Understanding
Template: Historic Resources Research Design 05/22 Used to prepare historical resources survey reports for FHWA and state funded projects
Documentation Standard for Preparing an Historic Resources Survey Report 05/22 Guidance on how to prepare historical resources survey reports for FHWA and state funded projects in compliance with the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement and the Antiquities Code of Texas, Memorandum of Understanding
Template: Preparing an Historic Resources Survey Report 05/22 Used to prepare historical resources survey reports for FHWA and state funded projects
Guidance for Historical Studies Desktop Survey 05/22 Guidance on how to conduct a digital search of online resources to identify and document historic-age properties.

Section 106 coordination standards

Title Date Description
Standard Operating Procedure for Historic Properties Visual Impacts Assessment 10/12 Provides a standard working tool to document and analyze the visual impacts to historic properties within project area of potential effects
Best Practice: District Communication with Historical Organizations 10/16 Assists districts in improving communications among historical organizations, with a focus on County Historical Commissions

Historic bridges

Title Date Description
Historic Bridge Section 4(f) Guidelines and Documentation Standards 12/22 Assists practitioners in preparing a Section 4(f) evaluation for a project affecting an historic bridge by providing recommendations on gathering technical and engineering information for establishing the purpose, need and sufficient justification for the alternatives considered and measures to minimize harm
Environmental Guidance: Historic Bridge Legacy Program and Public Outreach 01/20 Guidance on how to conduct public outreach activities to comply with 23 U.S.C. 144(g)
TxDOT’s Historic Bridge Legacy Program Fact Sheet 10/16 Describes TxDOT’s historic bridge marketing program, and outlines the requirements for an entity to adopt a bridge
Template: Historic Bridge Adoption Media Advisory 10/16 Used to announce to media outlets the availability of a historic bridge for adoption
Template: Historic Bridge Adoption Public Service Announcement 10/16 Used to announce to media outlets the availability of a historic bridge for adoption
Template: Adopting Historic Bridge Flyer 06/21 Used to prepare an informational flyer for the public regarding the availability of a historic bridge for adoption
Template: Historic Bridge Adoption Information Packet 16/21 Used to prepare an informational packet for online posting that describes the details of a historic bridge that is available for adoption

Additional resources

Title Description
AASHTO Web Page: Historic Preservation/Cultural Resources Brief summaries from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) of historic preservation issues and programs applicable to the transportation community
FHWA Historical and Archeological Preservation Lists legislation, regulation, policy and guidance made available in the FHWA Environmental Review Toolkit
Texas Historical Commission Texas Historic Sites Atlas Provides an interactive resource for identifying Official Texas Historical Markers and NRHP properties