- Reclamation
- Great Plains
- Programs & Activities
- Environment and Cultural Resources
Environment and Cultural Resources:
Hawksbill sea turtle, which ranges along the Texas coast.
Welcome to the Great Plains Region's Environment and Cultural Resources page. This section is designed to provide an overview of environmental programs and links more information about ongoing environmental actions the Great Plains Region.
The Great Plains Region encompasses all or parts of nine states, and is the most environmentally and culturally diverse area managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The Region has has approximately 128 species listed under the Endangered Species Act, and a host of other cultural and archeological resources.
The page below is divided into three major sections, each addressing an area related to environmental compliance:
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): NEPA was enacted in 1969 to declare the Nation’s policy on protection of the environment. The area provides an overview of NEPA, as well as links to ongoing environmental activities in the Great Plains Region.
- Endangered Species Act (ESA): The ESA was enacted in 1973 to protect species in danger of becoming extinct (e.g., endangered species) and those threatened with becoming endangered (e.g., threatened species). This area provides an overview of the ESA, as well as an overview of listed species in the Great Plains Region.
- National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) & Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA):
- NHPA directs Federal agencies to follow a consultation process in assessing the affects of Federal undertakings on historic properties (properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places). Historic properties can be archaeological sites, buildings, structures (even Reclamation built structures such as dams and canals), and sites of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe.
- ARPA prohibits the removal of archaeological materials from Federal lands without a permit issued by the managing agency. Violators are subject to prosecution and possible fine or imprisonment. This area provides more information about the law and its application.
Ursus arctos horribilis, better known as the Grizzly Bear, ranges in Montana and Wyoming, and is designated a
Threatened species under the ESA. Impacts to species such as the Grizzly Bear are considered under the NEPA process.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA was enacted in 1969 to declare the Nation’s policy on protection of the environment. NEPA requires Federal agencies to use all practicable means within their authority to protect the environment, and establishes a process for analyzing and disclosing the impacts of Federal actions on the environment. The Act also established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to oversee and advance the goals of NEPA.
NEPA's objective is to improve Federal decision-making through early involvement of the public and Federal, state, tribal, and local agencies in the planning process and through disclosure of the impacts associated with proposed actions and alternatives. To assist Federal agencies achieve this objective, the CEQ developed regulations and guidance for implementing NEPA that outline the analytical and disclosure processes for environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments, and categorically-excluded actions (CE).
For more information on NEPA, please view our NEPA PowerPoint presentation.
- Schedule of Proposed NEPA Actions – this link will take you to our schedule of proposed NEPA actions where you can learn the status of proposed actions, access and download environmental compliance documents, and submit comments.
- Department of the Interior Manual – this link will take you to the DOI’s Electronic Library of the Interior Policies. Select Departmental Manual, then select Series: 31-Environmental Quality Programs. Next select Part 516: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The chapters in this section have more information on NEPA compliance.
- National Environmental Policy Act - you can read the statute here.
- Council on Environmental Quality – CEQ’s Web site can be accessed through this link.
- CEQ’s Regulations for Implementing NEPA – here are regulations Federal agencies follow when implementing NEPA.
- CEQ’s Forty Mosted-Asked Questions about NEPA – this link provides CEQ’s responses to frequently-asked questions about NEPA compliance.
- CEQ’s NEPA Guidance – you can find other CEQ NEPA guidance here.
- CEQ’s NEPAnet – this link accesses CEQ’s NEPA Web page.
The Endangered Mustela nigripes, commonly known as the Black-footed ferret, ranges in Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
Nebraska, North & South Dakota, and Wyoming.
In 1973, Congress enacted the ESA with the purpose of protecting and conserving species in danger of becoming extinct (e.g., endangered species) and those threatened with becoming endangered (e.g., threatened species).
Section 7(a)(1) of the ESA requires Interior agencies to utilize programs administered by the Secretary to further the purposes of the ESA and other federal agencies to utilize their authorities to further the purposes of the ESA by carrying out programs for the conservation of listed species. Such actions are considered to be voluntary conservation measures.
Section 7(a)(2) is action-forcing and requires federal agencies consult with the Secretary to insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. It is through this consultation process that Reclamation assesses the effects of its actions and the Fish and Wildlife Service determines whether such actions are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitat. Listed species in the Great Plains Region range from large, well-known vertebrates such as the grizzly bear, whooping crane, and bald eagle to relatively obscure species like the American burying beetle, pallid sturgeon, and cave-dwelling invertebrates.
Species that are proposed for listing are not formally protected by the ESA but are treated similarly to listed species during consultations where they may be present in the action area. The Great Plains Region normally considers potential effects on candidate species (not currently listed, but information exists that may warrant future listing) that may be present in the action area to minimize adverse effects and avoid the need for future listing. For most actions, the section 7 consultation process is incorporated into our NEPA compliance process.
- Endangered Species Act – Complete text of act, as amended
- ESA Interagency Cooperation (50 CFR 402– regulations federal agencies follow for consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service and/or NOAA-Fisheries
- ESA Section 7 Consultation Handbook – Fish and Wildlife Service’s consultation handbook
- Listed Species in the Great Plains Region - list of threatened, endangered, and proposed species along with geographical information.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
The predecessor to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) was enacted in 1934 as one of the Nation’s first wildlife conservation laws. Several revisions followed, and in 1958, the law was first referred to by its current title. Along with other requirements, the FWCA requires federal agencies proposing to modify a waterbody to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and provide equal consideration for fish and wildlife resources in project planning.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act – you can view the text of the FWCA through this link
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Section 106 and its implementing regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, directs Federal agencies to follow a consultation process in assessing the affects of Federal undertakings on historic properties (properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places).
Excavation of the remains of a wooly mammoth, about 18,500 years old, at Harry Strunk Reservoir in Nebraska.
Historic properties can be archaeological sites, buildings, structures (even Reclamation built structures such as dams and canals), and sites of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe. Federal agencies must identify historic properties that may be affected by a Federal undertaking, determine if the properties are eligible for the National Register, and address any adverse effects to those properties. The Section 106 consultation process should include the State Historic Preservation Officer or Tribal Historic Preservation Officer or both, project proponents or applicants for Federal assistance, permits, licenses or other approvals, local governments and interested members of the public.
- National Historic Preservation Act – Complete NHPA of 1966 as amended through 2000 from the National Park Service Web site
- Section 106 NHPA Summary – The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has explanatory material on the Section 106 process at their Web site
- Section 110 NHPA – This link opens Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 110 requires all Federal agencies to establish a program “for the identification, evaluation and nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, and protection of historic properties.” The Great Plains Region continues to inventory its lands and projects for historic properties, and takes steps to manage and protect those resources as funding allows.
- 36 CFR Part 800 – The text of 36 CFR Part 800 from the Advisory Council's Web page
Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA)
ARPA prohibits the removal of archaeological materials from Federal lands without a permit issued by the managing agency. Violators are subject to prosecution and possible fine or imprisonment. Before issuing a permit for archaeological excavation Federal agencies must consult with any Indian tribes which consider the archaeological site to have religious or cultural importance. ARPA also directs Federal agencies to educate the public about archaeological resources, and to survey their lands for archaeological resources. The implementing regulations for ARPA are 43 CFR Part 7.
- Archaeological Resources Protection Act – Full text of ARPA on the National Park Service (NPS) Web site
- 43 CFR Part 7 – Full text of 43CFR Part 7 on the NPS Web site
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
Anyone who inadvertently discovers Native American Human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects or objects of cultural patrimony on Federal lands must immediately notify the Federal land manager by telephone and provide written confirmation. If the discovery was made in conjunction of some activity being conducted on Federal land, the activity must be stopped in the area of the discovery and reasonable efforts made to protect the materials. The Federal agency must notify the Indian tribes likely to be affiliated with the discovery, and develop a written agreement with affiliated tribes for excavation or removal of the remains if they cannot be left in place. Federal agencies must also inventory Native American human remains and associated funerary objects that were in the Federal agency’s collections prior to November 1990, and repatriate the remains to the affiliated tribes if affiliation can be determined.
- NAGPRA – Full text of NAGPRA on the NPS Web site
- 43 CFR Part 10 – Full text of 43CFR Part 10 on the NPS Web site