Section 106 review takes its name from Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA) Section 106 requires federal agencies or their applicants to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic above ground and archaeological properties. The Section 106 process must be completed before the spending of federal funds or the issuance of a federal license or permit for the undertaking. The Section 106 process must be conducted as directed by federal regulation (36 CFR Part 800)  .

Under the NHPA, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development is given the role of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Within the SHPO, two offices conduct Section 106 on a joint basis, the Division of Historic Preservation and the Division of Archaeology. The Division of Historic Preservation reviews the effects of federal actions on above-ground resources. Currently, the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation processes over 19,000 federal projects annually -- everything from highway construction to bringing blighted housing up to code, levee projects, cell towers, restoration of historic federal buildings, and construction of park and recreation facilities etc. Section 106 review is a positive advisory process that affords federal agencies the opportunity to take historic preservation fully into account as part of their overall planning process.

To carry out its review, the Division of Historic Preservation requires the following information:

For archaeology review requirements, please contact the Division of Archaeology at (225) 342-8165.

Cover letter with attached background describing the following:

1. Name of federal agency, agency involvement (funding, license/permit, etc. description of the undertaking, and a detailed description of the project). 
2. Applicant's contact information (name, address, phone number, and email address).
3. Agency contact information (name, address, phone number, and email address).
4. Description of the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The APE can be direct or indirect. It is defined as “the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may cause changes in the character or use of historic properties, if any such properties exist.” (Include the latitude/longitude of the undertaking location and APE)
5. Description of all historic properties within and adjacent to the APE. The historic above-ground resource is any building, structure, object, site, or district, fifty years of age and older. Under Section 106, it is the responsibility of the federal agency or its designee to identify all structures listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and determine if adverse effects will be a result from their project.
6. Detailed project scope of work, including design plans.
   • • Map and site plan showing APE and exact location of the project undertaking with latitude/longitude.
     • Photographs of the entire APE and project location. Photographs of all historic standing structures (fifty years of age and older) within the APE. Buildings should be documented showing diagonal views of front and side, and rear and opposite side of the building. All photos should be keyed to a site map and project plans, if applicable.
     • Provide a statement noting if there will be adverse effects or none.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MAP OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND DISTRICTS!

If you are submitting a cellular communication tower project for Section 106 review, please access the Federal Communications Web site Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for information on what is required for SHPO Section 106 review.

Fieldwork and Cultural Resources Reports

Cultural Resource Reports are often required as part of the Section 106 process.  If you are submitting a Cultural Resource Report, please view our updated Fieldwork Guidelines and Report Guidelines. Both of these guidance documents were updated in October 2021.

If you have any questions, the Division of Historic Preservation.

Helpful Website Links:

• About the Section 106 Process http://www.achp.gov/work106.html
• Citizens Guide to Section 106 CitizenGuide2021_011321.pdf (achp.gov)
• Section 106 User’s Guide List of ACHP Guidance | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation