Background
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) applies annually for Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and awards these funds through various grant programs. These funds are mainly used in restoration and technical assistance projects that benefit salmon and steelhead.
In August 2025, OWEB, the NMFS, along with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation signed a
Programmatic Agreement (PA) for PCSRF projects, delegating Section 106 responsibilities of the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) to OWEB.
Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects on historic properties of projects they carry out, assist, fund, permit, license, or approve.
Under the PA, OWEB is responsible for ensuring that the grantees are in compliance with Section 106. This includes reviewing projects to ensure alignment with the PA, examining cultural resource reports, and submitting the appropriate documentation to the SHPO and NMFS.
Additional information on OWEB’s cultural resource program and helpful tips to manage your grant is available in the
Guidance on Cultural Resources Compliance for OWEB Grants.
Applying for a Grant
Area of Potential Effect (APE) Map
The Area of Potential Effect (APE) map identifies the geographic area where a project may directly or indirectly alter the characteristics or use of historic properties, if any are present. The APE is determined by the scale and nature of the undertaking and may vary depending on the type of effects involved. The project should consider both the horizontal, and vertical extent of the project when establishing the APE.
When developing an APE map, please consider the following tips:
- Include the maximum area that will be affected during the project.
- Consider both direct and indirect effects.
- Include the construction area, staging areas, auditory or visual effects, access roads, drainage diversions, disposal areas, etc. (as appropriate).
- Include the project title, a legend, a scale, and a north arrow for reference.
- Use a standard USGS 7.5-minute scale map background.
- Consider using multiple maps to display large or disjointed project areas.
OWEB has developed a
helpful APE map guide and a
short video to assist in making of an APE map.
How to Fulfill Your Grant Conditions
The Inadvertent Discovery Plan or IDP provides a step-by-step guide about what to do when ground disturbing activities unearth a discovery that may be archaeological in nature. The IDP explains what to do, and who to call in the event of a discovery, as well as provides example photos indicating the type of material that we are generally concerned about. Projects that have used this form on-site can reduce confusion, risk, and liability.
What you need to do:
Email a completed copy of the Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP) with all necessary location and contact information will be submitted via email to Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance prior to implementation.
A copy of the IDP is required to be kept on site during all ground-disturbing activities.
Additional Information:
A copy of the Inadvertent Discovery Plan (IDP) template is available on OWEB's website.
The Worker Environmental Awareness Training (WEAT) is a free online course required for all on-site personnel—including grantee staff and contractors—who will supervise or perform ground-disturbing activities (e.g., project managers, machine operators, reforestation workers, field technicians, loggers, and laborers).
This training is a 22-minute video that describes the types of cultural resources that may be encountered during project implementation and the steps to take if this type of material is found.
To complete the training:
- Visit the Extended Enterprise Learner Resource page.
- Scroll to the bottom and select the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board link.
- Follow the instructions to create an Extended Enterprise Learner account and complete the training.
Important: You must download and maintain a screenshot or certificate of completion indicating that the person has completed the training. You are not required to submit this documentation to OWEB, but must keep a copy in your grant file, and OWEB may request a copy at any time to ensure compliance with this grant condition.
Federal and state laws require that most archaeological investigations be conducted under the supervision of professionals who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology, History, or Architectural History, as appropriate (36 CFR 800.2(a)(1)). In Oregon, they must also meet the qualifications of a “qualified archaeologist” as defined in ORS 390.235(6)(b).
These standards help ensure that archaeological work is carried out ethically, accurately, and be scientifically replicable, so future researchers and projects can rely on the results. Qualified archaeologists have experience conducting background research, including access to confidential archaeological site records, obtaining Tribal information, and assessing the potential for undocumented sites. In the field, they apply a range of methods—such as survey, excavation, monitoring, and remote sensing—to properly identify, document, and protect cultural resources. After fieldwork, the results are compiled into reports that are shared with state, federal, and Tribal reviewers for compliance and approval.
What you need to do:
Ensure all your consultants for archaeological tasks meet the required qualifications.
The cultural resource inventory report submitted in support of the project should provide enough information on staffing to determine that they meet the qualifications to adhere the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology, History, or Architectural History, as appropriate (36 CFR 800.2(a)(1) and meet the qualifications for a “Qualified archaeologist” as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 390.235 (6)(b). This report will be submitted via email at Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance.
Once it is determined that the cultural resource inventory report is complete and all consultation requirements have been fulfilled, a Notice to Proceed email will be sent to the grantee's applicant and project manager from indicating that the Section 106 process as described in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800) has been completed and the project is approved to proceed as described in the grant application.
Additional Information:
The Oregon SHPO provides a helpful bulletin for individuals and organizations interested in hiring an archaeologist and the Association of Oregon Archaeologists offers a contractor directory.
Ground disturbing activities includes any action or activity, including any excavation, drilling, boring, soil testing, grading, planting or other activity that disturbs the existing ground in any manner. This includes removal of existing plants, equipment, signage, or other object(s) from the existing intact soils. This does not include staging or vehicle traffic on existing roads or vehicle transport through staging areas, so long as the vehicles do not disturb the existing intact soils.
Any on-site project activities, including but not limited to, ground-disturbing activities for any project activities that occur before completion of the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 review process are not eligible for reimbursement and may jeopardize funding for the entire project.
What you need to do:
Submit a copy of the cultural resource inventory report, associated cultural resource records, and spatial data to Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance.
A Notice to Proceed email will be sent to the grantee's applicant and project manager, indicating that the Section 106 process as described in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800) has been completed and the project is approved to proceed as described in the grant application.
Archaeological investigations require background research, fieldwork, documentation, and analysis to make a reasonable and good faith effort in identifying historic properties that may be present within a projects Area of Potential Effect (APE). The goal of these investigations is to identify cultural resources and determine if a project can avoid, or minimize impacting these resources, or determine if mitigation is necessary to accommodate these effects. While the goals of this type of research are the same, the methods that can be employed can vary based on the goals and scope of the larger project.
What you need to do:
Following the completion of fieldwork, the cultural resource inventory report, associated cultural resource records, and spatial data will provide all of the necessary information as described in the guidance on OWEB's website. This report will be submitted via email at Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance.
Once it is determined that the cultural resource inventory report is complete and all consultation requirements have been fulfilled, a Notice to Proceed email will be sent to the grantee's applicant and project manager from indicating that the Section 106 process as described in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800) has been completed and the project is approved to proceed as described in the grant application.
Additional Information:
OWEB has developed a
Section 106 Inventory guidance document that our grantee can provide to their cultural resource contractor when a Section 106 inventory is required within a project area. This document describes the parameters for completing a cultural resource inventory that complies with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800), as well as the 2025 NMFS-OWEB PCSRF Programmatic Agreement.
The Preliminary Desktop Cultural Resource Assessment (PDCRA) is a document or series of documents providing information regarding the project and the results of cultural background research to assess the overall cultural sensitivity of the project area and determine whether the project may be excluded from further review.
What you need to do:
The grantee will submit a copy of the Preliminary Desktop Cultural Resource Assessment (PDCRA) report that provides all of the necessary information as described in the guidance on OWEB's website. This report will be submitted via email at Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance.
Once it is determined that the PDCRA report is complete and all consultation requirements have been fulfilled, a Notice to Proceed email will be sent to the grantee's applicant and project manager from indicating that the Section 106 process as described in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800) has been completed and the project is approved to proceed as described in the grant application. This Notice to Proceed may include additional conditions related to cultural resouce compliance that must be followed.
Additional Information:
OWEB has developed a PDCRA guidance document that our grantee can provide to their cultural resource contractor when a Preliminary Desktop Cultural Resource Assessment (PDCRA) is required within a project area. This guidance document describes the parameters to complete a desktop inventory of the project area that complies with the 2025 NMFS-OWEB PCSRF Programmatic Agreement.
A detailed report that provides a review of the built environment potential of the area, which will include the use of aerial photographs and maps, parcel history, and archival research.
What you need to do:
The Built Environment Desktop Review (BEDR) report will provide all of the necessary information as described in the guidance on OWEB's website. This report will be submitted via email at Cultural.Resources@oweb.Oregon.gov for review and acceptance.
Once it is determined that the BEDR report is complete and all consultation requirements have been fulfilled, a Notice to Proceed email will be sent to the grantee's applicant and project manager from indicating that the Section 106 process as described in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation (36 CFR 800) has been completed and the project is approved to proceed as described in the grant application. This Notice to Proceed may include additional conditions related to cultural resource compliance that must be followed.
Additional Information:
OWEB has developed a BEDR guidance document that our grantee can provide to their cultural resource contractor when a Built Environment Desktop Review (BEDR) is required within a project area. This document describes the parameters to complete a desktop inventory build environment resources of the project area that complies with the 2025 NMFS-OWEB PCSRF Programmatic Agreement.
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Contact Information
For additional information, please contact
Cultural.Resources@oweb.oregon.gov or
Shane James, Cultural Resources Specialist, 971-345-7756,
Shane.James@oweb.oregon.gov, or
Courtney Shaff, Monitoring and Reporting Program Manager, 971-342-7012, Courtney.Shaff@oweb.oregon.gov