Washington State Standards for Cultural Resource Reporting
The Washington State Inventory of Cultural Resources (herein after referred to as the Inventory) contains thousands of records documenting both archaeological and historic resources across the state. As such, this repository contains volumes of information revealing important insights into thousands of years of human activity within the present-day boundaries of Washington. The Inventory plays a critical role in cultural resource management and historic preservation planning activities statewide.
As stewards of the Inventory, DAHP is responsible for managing this large and complex database. In this role, the department strives to make the information as useful as possible. The Washington State Standards for Cultural Resources Reporting conveys general guidelines, specific requirements, and useful tips about the survey and inventory process. This document is intended to explain survey standards and expectations plus provide direction for preparing and submitting inventory forms (Archaeology Site Inventory Form, Traditional Cultural Property Inventory Template, Cemetery Inventory Form, Submerged Historic Archaeological Resource Registration Form, Historic Property Inventory Form) along with the survey reports that accompany them. The document’s intended audience includes survey project personnel charged with conducting survey activities and those completing inventory forms and writing the survey project reports. Readers should be aware that information in this document is guided in large part on National Park Service (NPS) directives as identified in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological and Historic Documentation (Federal Register, Vol. 90, No. 140:44716).
NOTE: The following are guidelines for reporting. These are not regulations. However, following these guidelines assists our agency with expediting reviews and making legally justifiable decisions. Because these are guidelines, and not regulations, we are always open to hearing your ideas for improvements.
