Cultural Resource Management

Our Cultural Resource Management program provides our clients with the services and expertise needed to comply with federal and state cultural resources law while avoiding costly project delays.

Cultural Resources Include:

• Historic houses and bridges
• Cemeteries
• Native American mounds and trails
• Archaeological remains from the prehistoric to the recent past

Many of these resources are protected under laws such as the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires that impacts to important cultural resources are evaluated and mitigated though the Section 106 review process.

Desktop & Field Assessments

AIIStar has conducted numerous cultural resource assessments throughout West Virginia and Ohio. These desktop and field assessments are often done for due diligence and are a cost effective way to identify culturally sensitive areas early on, allowing projects to be moved or modified, if possible, or for Cultural Resource Management work to be completed well in advance of construction deadlines. AIIStar’s Cultural Resource Management staff is fully trained in the use of GPS devices and GIS mapping and can produce detailed maps and shapefiles to assist with project re-designs.

Archaeological & Architectural Surveys

AIIStar’s Cultural Resource Management staff is fully qualified to conduct cultural resource surveys for compliance with Section 106 or other federal and state laws and includes principal investigators who are recognized by West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. With extensive experience in the completion of archaeological surveys for the presence/absence of resources (Phase I) and their evaluation for the National Register of Historic Places (Phase II), as well as historic architecture surveys, AIIStar prides itself on professional field methods and report writing that are completed in a timely manner and tailored to each project. After the completion of field surveys, AIIStar is able to complete associated services in-house, such as artifact analysis and curation, deed searches, historical background research, cemetery recordation, and GIS mapping and viewshed analysis.

Section 106 Mitigation

When impacts to a culturally significant resource cannot be avoided, AIIStar is ready to assist clients with a range of onsite or offsite mitigation options. In addition to negotiating and preparing Memorandums of Agreement, AIIStar can complete almost all mitigation measures in-house, including Phase lll archaeological surveys to mitigate impacts through data recovery, consultation with local historic preservation groups and members of the public, restoring cemeteries, preparing material for brochures or roadside markers, writing local histories, and preparing artifact collections for donation. Our experienced CRM staff will work with clients to maintain good relationships with SHPO and government agencies, while also completing work within project budgets and schedules.