Programmatic Agreement for Section 106 Compliance of the NHPA

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Programmatic Agreement Regarding the Process for Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

The Forest Service, as public land steward, is mandated to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and its implementing regulations entitled “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800, as amended 2004). The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (FM&S) has determined that its activities in the administration of national forest lands under its jurisdiction often meet the definition of undertakings that may have the potential to cause effects to historic properties either included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The FM&S is developing a Programmatic Agreement (PA) to set forth the processes by which the Forest Service will meet its responsibilities under Section 106 of the NHPA for undertakings occurring on national forest lands in South Carolina. The proposed PA is being developed to take into account the effects of FM&S undertakings on historic properties, to reduce the need for case-by-case review of routine management activities when historic properties will not be affected or when standard avoidance measures and programmatic treatments can be applied, and to improve Tribal consultation and public involvement.

The proposed PA is being developed in consultation with the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and other interested consulting parties. FM&S is seeking public comment on the revised draft document.