Program Status

October 2023

  • 14 dams and reservoirs            
  • 603,000 total acreage for all projects
  • 23 program participants including 10 federally recognized Native American tribes
  • 4,843 archaeological sites and historic structures documented
  • 1,164 traditional cultural places documented
  • 200-400 sites monitored for their condition annually
cultural resources map

Background

Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their actions on "historic properties," which are the physical traces of our nation's history considered to be "significant." When a historic property is negatively affected by a federal action, agencies must develop management strategies to protect the property or to mitigate for those effects. Operation and maintenance of 14 federally owned dams that are part of the FCRPS affect traces of our history by causing erosion that washes away archaeological sites, and by limiting Native Americans’ access to traditional village sites, legendary sites that hold stories about tribal history, and important natural resource gathering areas. As such, the FCRPS cultural resources program was created as a partnership with state, tribal, and federal technical staffs that participate in Cultural Resource Cooperating Groups. Together, specialists in Columbia River Plateau archaeology and cultural resources share information and develop creative solutions in the management of cultural resources within the FCRPS.

Resource Library

Cultural Resource Subcommittee Meetings

Agency Contacts

Anna Neuzil
Bonneville Power Administration
aaneuzil@bpa.gov
503-230-5642
 
Mike Flowers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
michael.a.flowers@usace.army.mil
503-808-3850
Sean Hess
Bureau of Reclamation
shess@usbr.gov
208-378-5316