US Army Corps of Engineers
Vicksburg District Website

Along with ensuring the protection and conservation of our nation's aquatic resources and ecosystems, the Corps is also responsible for ensuring historic properties located within proposed permitted areas and on Corps property are in compliance with preservation laws (i.e., those within jurisdictional waters and associated uplands - 33CFR325, Appendix C, 1(g) and 5(c)). A historic property is defined as, "... a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) or which has been deemed eligible for listing in the National Register" (33CFR325, Appendix C, 1 (a)).

Compliant to 33CFR325, Appendix C (Interim Guidance 2005 and 2007) and 36CFR800 (pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act), the Corps works with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO), the permitee and other interested parties to determine the effects, if any, to historic properties as a result of a proposed undertaking. If a historic property is located within the permit area and 1) is deemed eligible for listing, or is currently listed, in the National Register by the SHPO, 2) raises concerns from a THPO or federally recognized tribe, and/or 3) will be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking, steps must be taken to avoid, minimize, preserve, and/or mitigate the historic property.

Individual or Standard Permits are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for potential effects to historic properties. Letter of Permission, Nationwide or General Regional conditions require known historic properties to be identified if they are to be encountered during the proposed undertaking. Historic properties listed, or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, must be identified on a map along with the permit application or Letter of Permission. Furthermore, no permitted activity shall take place until the 33CFR325, Appendix C criteria has been satisfied, which allots for a 30-day review and comment period. 

Before submitting a permit application, cultural resources must be taken into consideration. Contact your State Historic Preservation Office for assistance or information prior to submitting a permit application or to obtain a list of qualified individuals who may perform archaeological work in your state.

If you have already received a permit and encounter cultural resources, stop work immediately in that area and contact us and your State Historic Preservation Officer within 48 hours. Follow the Vicksburg District, Regulatory Division Standard Operating Procedure if a site or human remains are encountered.