Cultural Resources & Archaeology
DEA provides cultural resources and historic preservation services to support compliance with federal, Tribal, state, and local requirements. Our team evaluates and addresses potential impacts to archaeological sites, historic properties, and other cultural resources early in the project lifecycle so project teams can understand requirements and plan accordingly.
DEA employs Secretary of the Interior-qualified archaeologists, including professionals listed on the Register of Professional Archaeologists. Our cultural resources professionals bring experience coordinating with State Historic Preservation Offices, federally and state-recognized Tribes, federal agencies, local stakeholders, and other consulting parties.
We support projects from background research and early screening through field investigation, eligibility evaluation, consultation, reporting, mitigation, artifact curation, and public outreach.
Typical Services Include:
- Phase I, II, and III archaeological field assessment
- Historic property surveys and National Register of Historic Places eligibility evaluation
- Historical and archival research
- GPS and GIS data collection, mapping, and analysis
- Artifact recovery, identification, care, and curation
- Section 106 reviews
- SHPO consultation
- Native American Tribal consultation
- Cultural resources survey reports and FCC Forms 620/621, as applicable
- Mitigation plan development and implementation
- Cultural sensitivity training
- Cultural resource grant identification, application, and compliance support
Capabilities in detail
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archaeological investigation
DEA performs Phase I, II, and III archaeological field assessments based on project needs and applicable requirements. Work may include background research, survey and inventory, evaluative testing, and mitigation.
Phase I investigations are generally focused on identifying archaeological resources within the project area. When resources are identified, additional evaluation may be needed to understand their significance and potential eligibility. Where impacts to significant resources cannot be avoided, mitigation may be developed in coordination with the appropriate agencies and consulting parties.
DEA’s archaeologists use standard field methods and geospatial tools to document findings accurately. GPS and GIS capabilities may include Trimble Total Station and GEOX data collection and ArcGIS map creation and editing, supporting clear field records, analysis, and reporting.
historic properties & preservation
Cultural resources review also includes above-ground historic properties and the broader historic context in which a project is located. DEA conducts historic property surveys and evaluations supported by archival research using primary and secondary sources.
Our team can evaluate identified properties for potential eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and document the basis for professional recommendations. These evaluations support agency review and help project teams understand whether proposed work may affect historic properties.
Where effects are identified, DEA supports consultation and mitigation planning to address regulatory requirements while maintaining clear communication among the project team, agencies, property owners, and other stakeholders.
section 106 review
DEA has experience guiding projects through the federal Section 106 review process.Support can include project initiation and applicability review, identification of appropriate consulting parties, definition of the Area of Potential Effects, identification and evaluation of historic properties, assessment of effects, consultation, documentation, and mitigation support.
Section 106 is a coordination process as well as a technical review. DEA works to keep project information, cultural resources findings, and consultation steps organized so clients can respond efficiently to agency and stakeholder needs.
For telecommunications projects, DEA also prepares cultural resources documentation associated with Federal Communications Commission review, including Forms 620 and 621 where applicable.
SHPO & tribal consultation
DEA regularly coordinates with State Historic Preservation Offices to support the professional, regulatory, and documentation tasks required for review and concurrence at applicable project stages. Our team values clear, respectful communication and strives to maintain productive working relationships with SHPO personnel across the country.
Native American Tribal consultation is approached with the same emphasis on respectful, informed coordination. DEA supports consultation with federally and state-recognized Tribes as applicable to the project and regulatory framework.
Our experience can also include projects involving human osteology or biological anthropology, cemetery preservation, and implementation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act where relevant. These matters require careful handling, appropriate expertise, and coordination with the responsible parties.
artifact curation, reporting & outreach
DEA supports artifact recovery and curation, including identification and care of cultural materials such as zooarchaeological remains, pottery, metal, glass, lithics, and shell. Documentation and curation practices are coordinated with project and repository requirements.
Cultural resources survey reports may incorporate archaeological and historic findings, maps, photographs, eligibility recommendations, consultation records, and other supporting documentation. DEA’s cultural resources work can also integrate with broader NEPA review, Categorical Exclusions, and project environmental documentation.
Our team provides cultural sensitivity training to help clients understand the importance of cultural resources and effective engagement with atypical stakeholders. DEA professionals also participate in public outreach and present original research at local venues, national conferences, and in university classroom settings.
DEA can assist with identifying appropriate cultural resource grants and with grant application preparation, budget development, compliance reporting, financial tracking documentation, and deliverable management.
DEA’s Project Delivery Approach
DEA begins each assignment by understanding the project purpose, schedule, available design information, and the decision the environmental work is intended to support. This helps keep the scope focused and allows technical work to be sequenced around project milestones.
Senior professionals remain involved in scoping, review, coordination, and issue resolution. When field conditions or agency comments change the expected path, clients have access to experienced practitioners who understand both the technical work and the broader project context.
Clear documentation is a core part of DEA’s approach. Reports, maps, correspondence, and recommendations are prepared so the project team can understand what was evaluated, what was identified, and what action may be required next. This is especially important when environmental information must be shared across engineering, legal, construction, funding, and operations teams.
DEA also looks for opportunities to coordinate related environmental tasks. When multiple disciplines apply, aligning fieldwork, GIS data, agency outreach, and reporting can reduce duplication and help keep the environmental record consistent as the project moves forward.