Caltrans Environmental Compliance: Introduction to Cultural Resources Compliance

The Caltrans Environmental Compliance Program for Local Agency Partners and Consultants is a program developed by the Caltrans Division of Environmental Analysis-Environmental Staff Development branch in partnership with UC Davis Extension to provide local agency partners and consultants with environmental compliance training to aid them in navigating Caltrans’ environmental process. Course content will emphasize Caltrans’ requirements, procedures and document formats.

The Caltrans Introduction to Cultural Resources Compliance course is an introductory course where students will increase their understanding of Caltrans cultural resources compliance procedures. Topics will include:

  • Introduction to Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800 – basics of process, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria, aspects of integrity and criteria of adverse effect

  • 2014 Programmatic Agreement (PA) – how it is different from 36 CFR Part 800, delegations of specific authorities to Caltrans

  • Professionally Qualified Staff (PQS) roles and responsibilities – what is a PQS, what do they do, what do they need to know about the project

  • Area of Potential Effects (APE) mapping and delineation – why we need to understand the undertaking scope

  • How to make an appropriate finding of effect – what to consider

  • Formats for cultural resources reports (HPSR, ASR, AER, HRER, FOE)

  • Consultation relationships – Caltrans’ role versus local agency role with Tribes, consulting parties, and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)

  • How cultural resource compliance fits into the Caltrans Project Delivery and Local Assistance processes

  • How Section 106 fits into the overall NEPA/CEQA process

  • Available Caltrans resources – Standard Environmental Reference (SER) guidance

Course Code
500934