Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation

Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Name	Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Formed	1985
Jurisdiction	State of Washington
Headquarters	Olympia, Washington
Chief1name	State Historic Preservation Officer

Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is a Washington state agency charged with identifying, evaluating, and protecting archaeological sites and historic properties across Washington (state), including collaboration with tribal nations, federal agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. The agency coordinates with entities such as the National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and tribal historic preservation offices to implement preservation policy and compliance with state and federal laws including the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Staff engage with stakeholders including the University of Washington, Washington State University, Seattle Historical Society, Tacoma Historical Society, and regional museums to carry out surveys, inventories, and stewardship of cultural resources.

History

The department traces roots to early 20th-century initiatives by institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the American Antiquarian Society and to state-era preservation movements linked to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the establishment of the National Register of Historic Places. Legislative action in the 1970s and 1980s, influenced by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 and advocacy from groups such as the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, led to formal codification in state statutes and the creation of a centralized office modeled on the State Historic Preservation Office concept promoted by the National Park Service. The agency developed partnerships with academic programs at the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, the Portland State University, and the Evergreen State College to professionalize archaeological practice and historic preservation in the Pacific Northwest.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership includes a State Historic Preservation Officer appointed under state law, who works with divisions responsible for archaeology, historic preservation, compliance, and outreach. The organizational structure coordinates with federal entities such as the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and regional offices connected to the National Park Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The department collaborates with tribal governments including the Lummi Nation, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tulalip Tribes, Quinault Indian Nation, and Yakama Nation, as well as county governments like King County, Pierce County, and Snohomish County, and municipal partners in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Vancouver (Washington).

Roles and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include maintaining the state inventory of historic places, reviewing federally funded projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, issuing permits for archaeological investigation under state statutes, and administering easements and grant programs aligned with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The department advises on rehabilitation projects using standards promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior (United States), oversees mitigation agreements with agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, and supports compliance with statutes like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. It engages with museums such as the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Washington State Historical Society, and the Museum of History & Industry for curation and public interpretation.

Programs and Services

Programs include the State Historic Preservation Office functions, archaeological site inventory and monitoring, the Certified Local Government program administered with counties and cities, and grant programs like the Historic County Courthouse Rehabilitation initiative. Services extend to technical assistance for rehabilitation projects following Secretary of the Interior standards, outreach with educational partners such as the National Council for Preservation Education, training for cultural resource management contractors, and publication of inventories that coordinate with the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Buildings Survey. Collaboration occurs with federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Federal Highway Administration on transportation and land management projects.

Notable Projects and Initiatives

The agency has participated in preservation of sites such as the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, documentation projects in the San Juan Islands, stabilization work on maritime heritage in Puget Sound, and archaeological investigations at sites associated with the Missoula Floods and the Columbia River. Initiatives include partnerships with the National Park Service on battlefield and landscape preservation, collaborative surveys with the U.S. Forest Service in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and urban heritage programs in cities like Seattle and Olympia (city). The department has worked on outreach and protection related to historic districts such as the Pioneer Square Historic District, maritime collections tied to the Seattle Maritime Academy, and repatriation efforts with tribal partners including the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

Funding and Budget

Funding sources include state appropriations from the Washington State Legislature, grants from the National Park Service under the Historic Preservation Fund, project-specific funds from the Federal Highway Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs, and contributions from private foundations such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. Budget allocations support staff, archaeological monitoring, grant awards to local governments and nonprofits like the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and capital projects that may involve agencies such as the Department of Transportation (Washington) and the Army Corps of Engineers. Fiscal oversight is subject to audits by the Washington State Auditor and legislative review through the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

Legal Framework and Policies

The department operates under state laws including the Revised Code of Washington provisions for archaeology and historic preservation, and enforces statutes that interact with federal laws such as the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Policy frameworks align with guidance from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and standards issued by the Secretary of the Interior (United States), and the department issues rules under the Washington Administrative Code. Legal coordination involves the Attorney General of Washington, tribal legal counsel from nations including the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Colville Confederated Tribes, and litigation or compliance matters that may engage the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington or appellate review in the Washington Supreme Court.

Category:State agencies of Washington (state) Category:Historic preservation in the United States