FAQs

A cultural resource represents the physical traces of Oklahoma’s people and past. Cultural resources can be many different types of resources, like prehistoric and historic-era archaeological sites, historic buildings, bridges, or districts, and are found in all 77 counties across the State.

ODOT is required by federal and state regulations to identify and consider the effects of our projects on significant cultural resources. To achieve this, ODOT tries to identify all potential cultural resources in a proposed project area before construction. This gives us an opportunity to avoid or minimize any effects to significant cultural resources.

ODOT uses a variety of methods and background research to try to identify all cultural resources that might be located within a proposed project area. This can include field survey, shovel testing, geophysical and aerial remote sensing, as well as archaeological excavations.

The Secretary of the Interior (SOI) requires all cultural resource professionals who identify or evaluate cultural resources to meet a pre-defined set of minimum professional qualification standards. These standards are published in 36 CFR Part 61 and a breakdown is available on the National Park Service website. 

ODOT's Cultural Resources Program staff and consulting partners are required to meet or exceed the SOI standards.

If you know of a potential cultural resource that is within or near a proposed ODOT project area or are concerned about the effects of a proposed project on cultural resources, you can contact the Cultural Resources team at ODOT. You can also participate in the Section 106 process as a consulting party. Learn more on our Public & Consulting Parties page.