Cultural Resources

Transect provides various sources for archaeological and historic data

Cultural Data in the Reports

Publicly available information from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), like historic districts, cemeteries, buildings, and other historic sites, are available in the Transect Report if present within the AOI. The locations of these resources can be viewed in the Locations tab under the applicable regulation (often Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) in Other Regulations.

Cultural Regulation and Permits

For many common project scenarios, like projects that are entirely private actions on private property, consideration of the effects on cultural resources is not required. It is required for other kinds of projects, like where there are impacts on federal waters or public land. But you don't have to keep it straight; we'll do that for you: every Transect Report tells you when cultural regulations and permits are required.

SHPO Site Data: SHPO Records Search using the Transect Marketplace

Specific site data can be helpful for projects where cultural regulations are triggered (IF the area has been previously surveyed). State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) hold cultural site data as confidential, never disseminating it in a broad capacity and only allowing those with certain archaeological credentials to access it. Data confidentiality aims to protect these very sensitive sites from looting and intentional disturbance.

We know that known site information provides essential context for projects trying to avoid impacts on cultural sites. Therefore, we have teamed with respected archaeological companies to help us access cultural site information for our users.  Our Marketplace offers an SHPO Records Search on an as-needed, per-report basis. The services include a search of the confidential SHPO database for several sites/avoidance areas, a simple summary, the percent previously surveyed, and site potential (high, medium, low).