This handbook was created to assist non-archaeologists in their use and understanding of the New York State's Professional Standards for Cultural Resource Investigations (hereafter referred to as the Standards). The process of identification, evaluation, and protection of significant cultural resources is mandated by a variety of state and federal laws. These laws help protect our state's cultural heritage. Agencies, municipalities, and private developers are full partners in this process of preservation. Cultural resource investigations conducted as part of these mandates serve as a planning tool for many groups living, working, and developing projects in New York State. New York State has adopted a set of professional standards for the conduct of cultural resource investigations and the curation of collections resulting from these studies.
The purpose of creating standards for cultural resource investigations is to establish systematic, high-quality methods for the identification, evaluation, and interpretation of culturally significant resources. Use of these Standards helps ensure that professionals gather uniform categories of information, explain their methods, and use appropriate reporting procedures. This process assists in the equitable and comparable review of development projects throughout the state. The Standards outline the basic information needed by reviewers, but they also encourage performance above the required minimum level.
The regulatory review process for most development projects in New York State now includes some consideration of the potential impact of the project on cultural resources. Appendix A lists the agencies and programs whose proposed projects must comply with federal, state, and local cultural resource laws. Cultural resources can include (but are not limited to) prehistoric (pre-A.D. 1600) and historic (post-A.D. 1600) archaeological sites, as well as standing buildings greater than 50 years old and various types of landscapes (e.g. rural, sacred, urban). New York regulatory requirements for compliance were formalized in the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the New York State Historic Preservation Act (NYSHPA) and the New York City Environmental Quality Review Act (CEQRA). SEQRA and CEQRA require the consideration of environmental, social, and economic factors for certain proposed development actions. Many of these follow the lead of federal laws and regulations such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Protection Act. Cultural resources are given equal weight with ecological factors in making decisions about the potential impacts of projects on important aspects of the environment. NYSHPA established requirements for the identification, evaluation, and preservation of significant archaeological sites and structures.
One goal of planned development is to ensure the preservation of significant cultural and natural features, such as prehistoric and historic archaeological sites and historic standing structures, as well as open space, trees and plants, water supplies, and unique landscapes. Preventing the destruction of these resources ensures the continued use and enjoyment of them by present and future generations. Whether you are planning to develop a commercial venture, such as a shopping mall or gravel mine, or a municipal project, such as a water treatment plant or highway, it is likely that both cultural and natural features will be considered in the planning and permitting process. It is important therefore that everyone, developers, planners, and individuals, understand the process and goals of cultural resource management (CRM). This handbook, when used in conjunction with the Standards, is a good first step in understanding the preservation and permitting process.
Stewardship of the past is not solely the responsibility of archaeologists
and managers. Every citizen shares this responsibility. Even though it
is not a requirement of any legislation, it is important for landowners
to consider the impacts of their own ground-modifying activities on any
known sites under their control as well as protection of the site from
looters. The state encourages stewardship of sites on private land through
a variety of preservation easements that reduce taxes.