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Resolution Adopting Comments on the Proposed Programmatic Agreement between Multiple State and Federal Agencies and the North Carolina Historic Preservation Officer Regarding the Transportation Program in North Carolina
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Department: |
Planning & Development |
Meeting Date: |
6/2/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Linda Painter |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-7806 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Draft Programmatic Agreement |
PURPOSE:
The proposed resolution would adopt formal comments on a proposed update to the programmatic agreement that addresses how potential impacts to historic resources from transportation projects covered by the agreement will be reviewed and evaluated.
BACKGROUND:
The North Carolina Historic Preservation Officer entered into a programmatic agreement in December 2020 with the Federal Highway Administration, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. These agencies are developing a new agreement and soliciting public comment. As a Certified Local Government, the City has been asked to provide feedback on the proposed agreement. The deadline to submit comments is June 4, 2026.
Staff has reviewed the proposed agreement and notes that, while it is very similar to the one it is replacing, there are two specific areas in which we believe the agreement could be improved:
• Public Involvement. The updated version includes clearer procedures for public involvement. However, the public involvement section does not require notice to local jurisdictions; rather, such notice is listed as one of many ways to conduct public involvement. To ensure that the City is notified of projects that may impact our historic resources, staff recommends requiring notice to local jurisdictions for all projects covered by the agreement.
• Underwater Archeological Resources. Additionally, the agreement is silent on projects that may impact underwater resources. To ensure that these resources receive the protection they deserve, staff recommends that the agreement be revised to exclude any transportation project with the potential to impact underwater archaeological resources from the terms of the agreement, and to require the development of a project-specific programmatic agreement to which local jurisdictions would be invited to serve as a consulting party.
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BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a resolution adopting formal comments on the proposed programmatic agreement between multiple state and federal agencies and the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the transportation program in North Carolina is recommended.