Idaho National Laboratory Cultural Resource Management Plan

As the INL Cultural Resource Management Program has matured, initial focus on archaeology has
expanded to include an emphasis on archaeological sites, buildings, artifacts, and archives associated with
more recent INL history. As a result of the unique nature of the work conducted at INL, many buildings
and structures are considered to be historically significant (Arrowrock Group 1997). With increasing
emphasis on environmental restoration, there has been a corresponding increase in cultural resource
reviews of actions affecting these resources (see Appendix D).
In addition, stakeholder involvement became increasingly formalized in 1992 with the establishment
of a working agreement between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and DOE-ID. This agreement has been
superseded in successive years by new agreements-in-principle that continue to refine the working
relationship between the Tribes and DOE-ID while promoting increased interaction, understanding, and
cooperation on issues of mutual concern, such as protection of natural environment and cultural resources
(see Appendix J). In the spirit of openness fostered by the agreements (c.f. DOE-ID 2007), and in
recognition of the need to often facilitate communication from the ground up, the INL Cultural Resource
Working Group was established in 1992. Comprised of preservation professionals from the Shoshone-
Bannock Tribes, DOE-ID, and the INL CRM Office, the group strives to reduce potential conflicts in the
sensitive relationship between steward and stakeholder. The CRWG addresses diverse issues such as, but
not limited to, traditional cultural places, sacred sites, cultural landscapes, human remains, and a variety
of other resources that fall under the purview of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act, NHPA, and ARPA.
INL POLICIES FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
DOE-ID and its contractors follow specific procedures to conduct research, environmental
remediation, and operations at INL in a manner that protects human health and the environment in full
compliance with environmental laws and regulations (see Appendix A). Cultural resources, including
archaeological resources, are an expressed part of the protected environment. Protection is achieved
through integration of environmental requirements into work planning and execution and consistent
actions to minimize the environmental impacts of INL operations. This integrated approach applies to all
INL employees and subcontractors who are also expected to report any environmental concerns to INL
management. Management, in turn, is expected to take prompt action to address any concerns or issues.
The INL environmental policy is implemented through internal standards and procedures as
summarized in Appendix A. Cultural resource protection is an integral element in these procedural
documents and is accomplished through a tailored review process that directly involves the INL CRM
Office.
The Cultural Resource Review Process
INL is an active scientific and engineering laboratory. Thousands of work orders for projects ranging
from lawn mowing to new facility construction are processed each year. Detailed procedures are in place
to evaluate the environmental consequences of all activities, large or small.
INL CRM Office review of proposed projects is prompted whenever one of the following basic
thresholds is met:
1. Ground disturbance outside the boundaries of fenced INL facility areas or more than 50 ft from
existing buildings or landscaped areas in unfenced facility areas
2. Demolition, major structural or landscape modification, or permanent closure of existing buildings or
structures (see Appendix D)
3. Any activities proposed for the EBR-I facility area, a National Historic Landmark (see Appendix D)
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