CPM 315: State Historic Preservation

To identify and outline the requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office for historic properties at Arizona State University

Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 41–511.02; 41–861 to –866; 41–1352

All university property

ASU, as a state-owned entity, is required to comply with the State Historic Preservation Act and Arizona State statutes regarding historic property. All building construction and renovation/remodeling projects to be performed in or on properties that have the potential to contain archaeological discoveries and/or to be considered prehistorical, historical, or architecturally and culturally significant must follow the policies of the State Historic Preservation Act. The State Historic Preservation Act requires that specific steps be taken to protect such properties and/or discoveries.

At the earliest point in the new building construction or renovation/remodeling projects that have the potential to be considered protected properties or contain archaeological discoveries, an archaeological analysis of the site must be initiated. The archaeological analysis shall be conducted jointly by the Capital Programs Management Group (CPMG), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the designated archaeological specialist for ASU.

An archaeological specialist for ASU determines the scope of work required for each potential project, the creation of a plan identifying exploratory requirements, a chart of trenches/exploration sites, and a report of the findings.

The archaeological specialist must be selected through an approved procurement process. Only institutions, organizations, or corporations organized for scientific, research, or land-use planning purposes may perform the exploration activities. Permits must be obtained prior to the initiation of the exploration function.

The archaeological specialist, in conjunction with the CPMG, Office of the University Architect, and the SHPO, shall perform work as required by state statutes.

Evaluation of Property

Review all available information that could help to determine whether historic properties may exist in the area of the proposed activity.

Identification of Property

Identify all state and national register-listed properties that might be affected by the proposed activity and identify those properties not actually listed in the register but which appear to meet eligibility criteria.

Once cultural resources have been identified and found to meet state and national register criteria, the archaeological specialist performs an archaeological exploration. The results of the exploration are presented as one of three possible findings:

1. no effect
2. no adverse effect

   or

3. adverse effect.

No Effect

There will be no effect of any kind on the cultural resources.

No Adverse Effect

There could be an effect, but the effect would not be harmful to the cultural resource.

Adverse Effect

There could be a harmful effect to the cultural resource.

Consultation is required to identify acceptable ways to avoid or mitigate the adverse effect. The consulting parties shall be the archaeological specialist, the CPMG, and the SHPO. A signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) may be required for a federally funded project. An MOA may also be used for any project. When the consulting parties have agreed on steps to avoid or reduce harm to historic properties, an MOA is written and signed.

If required, a copy of the signed MOA for a federally funded project is sent to the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The council comment procedure provides for a review of the documentation by the council of the MOA, request for change to the MOA, or issuance of written comments on the proposed activity.

Archaeological Discovery

Any historic or prehistoric ruin, burial ground, archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, or site including fossilized footprints, inscriptions made by human agency, or any other archaeological, paleontological, or historical feature.

Historic Property (also Historic Resource)

District, site, building, structure, or object significant in Arizona’s history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, or culture at national, state, or local level that is listed on, or eligible for, the Arizona Register of Historic Places, as defined in Arizona Administrative Code R12-8-206 or the National Register of Historic Places, established and maintained under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.A.470 et seq.).

Where projects involve historic properties, it is a requirement to comply with the policies and procedures outlined by the State Historic Preservation Act and all applicable Arizona Revised Statutes.

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