Cultural Resources Mission

The Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes its stewardship responsibilities for managing the cultural resources on DOE-owned land and lands impacted by DOE programs. Cultural resources include, but are not limited to:

• archeological materials (artifacts) and sites from prehistoric, historic, or ethnohistoric periods that are located on or beneath the ground surface;
   
• standing structures that are over 50 years old or are important because they represent a major historical theme or era;
   
• cultural and natural places, certain natural resources, and sacred objects that are important to Native Americans and other ethnic groups; and
   
• American folklife traditions and arts.

The Office of Nuclear Safety and Environmental Assistance (HS-22) has developed guidelines that will provide DOE facilities with the framework to develop site-specific comprehensive programs and ensure compliance with the various cultural resource related statutes. Use this link to view or download a PDF file of these guidelines. The PDF file is 1,109,963 bytes in size and 96 pp. long.

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