Avoidance, Minimization and Mitigation

When development projects are shown to have historically or archaeologically significant sites within their boundaries, archaeologists work to find creative ways to help projects move forward while still protecting, or at least documenting, cultural resources during this process.

Typically called a Phase III, there are three ways to proceed when important materials are within their project’s areas. The first way is to avoid the structures, features, or cultural materials all together. This is often not possible, but projects do need green space, pleasing sight lines, or setbacks to meet other project requirements – and protected cultural materials can be safely incorporated into this work (vs. projected). Second, the project can minimize their impacts to the largest degree possible. This is a compromise which recognizes developers are doing all they can to find common ground between moving forward and protecting materials. Within this step, archaeologists monitor construction activities to make sure if any accidental discoveries are made – they are swiftly documented and safely handled. Finally, large scale mitigation efforts can be done to archaeologically remove materials ahead of construction, capturing as much information as possible before disturbance.

Nienow Cultural Consultants help developers work within archaeological preservation guidelines to get projects over the finish line. Whether it is attending meetings with clients, working with regulators, developing management plans, monitoring construction efforts, or completing large scale excavations – NCC has repeatedly been there for clients.