Environmental Review Toolkit

Historic Preservation

Photo of Burnside Bridge at Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland (Google Earth)
Burnside Bridge at Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland
(Google Earth)

Historic preservation has been a Federal concern since 1906 when the Antiquities Act provided for the protection of historic and prehistoric remains and monuments on Federal lands. Since that time, Congress has made historic preservation a responsibility of every Federal agency, enacting multiple laws that extend the consideration of our nation's historic and archeological resources to properties beyond Federal lands and reflect the importance the American people attach to safeguarding and maintaining the places that embody our nation's rich heritage.


The Environmental Review Toolkit provides information geared to the Federal-aid highway program and its related projects. It includes guidance, recommendations, and successful practices to help address historic preservation/cultural resource issues during the transportation project planning and development process.