Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 16 - History, Humanities and Arts › Part 3 - Historic Preservation Division › Chapter 12 - Mississippi Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations › Rule 16-3-12.14.0 - Alternative Mitigation

Current through June 25, 2024
While it could be argued that all mitigation should be
				  "creative," the intent of this section is to make it clear that there is a
				  nearly limitless range of possibilities to consider non-traditional mitigation
				  approaches beyond the more typical approaches of archaeological data recovery
				  for archaeological properties. Such non-standard, innovative approaches can
				  provide solutions that are better for a project, and community and historic
				  preservation goals, and can supplement or be done in place of, standard
				  mitigation.
For example, instead of excavating a site that has been
				  determined to have an adverse effect from a project, states have done regional
				  models in areas with little or no archaeological site information in order to
				  direct future surveys/research in those areas. A history of a neighborhood can
				  be done to mitigate loss of a property. An article in a professional journal
				  and/or a presentation at a conference could be done instead of a traditional
				  mitigation report. Public education displays of artifacts from archaeological
				  excavations are certainly always good to include in projects, whether as a
				  result of data recovery or other excavations. Combinations of approaches like
				  these should be considered.
A mitigation option could be the development of a local
				  historic preservation plan and/or ordinance. A property could be purchased for
				  preservation; an archaeological site could be preserved by including it in a
				  conservation easement of some kind. Cultural resource management consultants
				  should also consider the creative inclusion of key professionals or
				  institutions with particular expertise, research or academic interests in the
				  data recovery on the resource being mitigated. As an associate Principal
				  Investigator on a project, these key professionals could be an asset in
				  designing the approach, in the recognition of important resource attributes,
				  refining background research, and aid in the preparation of a more meaningful
				  final report. Establishing an exhibit in a local museum and/or creating a web
				  site can be considered for both above and below ground resources in order to
				  illustrate the importance of a historic property in a community's and/or
				  region's historical development.
Another option that could be considered for certain
				  situations, is the production of short films showcasing research being
				  conducted and posting those short films on agency websites and on YouTube. Such
				  short films could serve to inform the public and Section 106 Consulting Parties
				  about project research, and enhance public education and public involvement
				  activities. "Virtual artifact curation" is another use of recent technology
				  that might be appropriate in certain instances for public education and public
				  involvement opportunities. As with other mitigation measures discussed in this
				  chapter, these two examples of use of recent technology could be combined with
				  other mitigation approaches as appropriate for a project.
All alternative mitigation must be made in consultation with
				  all involved parties such as the federal agency, SHPO and THPOs.
For more ideas, guidance or examples on alternative
				  mitigations please see:
1.
www.achp.gov/archguide
2. 169 regional synthesis
3. Choctaw Study on the MS Coast
				by Sarah Price
4.
				"Trade-offs"-damage to one site, but using mitigation to study another site
5. Section 15.0 Public Education
				and Outreach of this document
6.
				Podcasts
7. MPB/NPR
				broadcasts/specials
8. Adding a
				new Mississippi Mound Trail site
9. Paid internship at SHPO/THPO
10. Funding the Mississippi Archaeological
				Research Grants program
11.
				Creating an app
12. Georgia
				Department of Transportation video links
36CFR
				  800.6