Heritage Program

MISSION

The mission of the Stanislaus Heritage Resources Team is to help establish and strengthen people's relationship with the historic and cultural dimension of their public land.

It is our responsibility as land stewards to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance heritage resources for public benefit through programs such as site evaluations, National Register nominations, treatment plans, and agreements. We will continue to emphasize the role archaeological and historical research plays in land management planning and through this research, expand our contribution to the ecological history and human dimension of the Sierra Nevada.

It is also our responsibility to provide opportunities for the public to connect with the heritage on National Forest lands and foster this relationship through personal interaction, creativity, and exploration. We will develop programs which focus on making heritage resources relevant and accessible to student of all ages, forest visitors and community groups. As trustees of the forest's heritage, we will continue to strengthen our collective and individual skills through innovation, training and partnerships for the highest public benefit.

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT

Heritage Resource Management on the Stanislaus National Forest is guided by the principles of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. Section 106 of the NHPA guides federal agencies in considering effects of their actions on heritage resources. Section 110 requires federal agencies to establish a program of inventory, preservation, education, and nomination of heritage resources to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Forest is part of a regional plan, the "Sierran Programmatic Agreement," which establishes procedures for implementing Section 106 and Section 110.

Section 106 Compliance

Each federal agency must consider the effects of its actions on heritage resources. For every project we do, we assess and mitigate any potential effects to National Register eligible properties.

Section 110 Plan

The Forest has an agreement with the California State Historic Preservation Officer for implementing Section 110. The Section 110 Plan establishes heritage resource management goals and objectives.

Goals of the Section 110 Plan

• Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
• National Register eligibility determination
• Site Monitoring
• Site Protection, rehabilitation, stabilization
• Heritage Education
• Public Participation
• Management of collections, databases, records
• Professional Contributions
• Partnerships, programs