Raba-Kistner strives to reconcile the objectives of planning and development projects with the concern for preserving historically significant properties. As stipulated by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), all federally licensed or funded projects must account for the effect of their activities on historical/cultural resources.

Other types of projects may call for archaeological investigations under state and local counterpart regulations. In Texas, state agencies and political subdivisions must notify the Texas Historic Commission (THC) of any action on public land. Typically required by THC, an archaeological survey of the proposed impact area evaluates the presence and significance of archeological sites.

Raba-Kistner assists a diversity of public and private clients whose projects are prescribed by the NHPA, state and/or local directive. Our cultural resource management implements Phase I surveys, historical, and archival research. Phase II testing is supplemented by standing structure surveys. Compliance-related investigations routinely necessitate execution of Phase III mitigation and site treatment, consultation, and oversight. Services are supported by industry standard equipment and methods. We are well versed in geophysical prospecting techniques, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and GPS survey applications.

A majority of our projects require a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Statement, or a state-level equivalent. Coordination of cultural resource compliance is usually required. In these instances, Raba-Kistner’s services seamlessly include the cultural resource investigation and report along with the preparation of NEPA documentation.