National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Review Process
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is a law that requires federal agencies to identify and consider the potential effects of their actions on historic properties and look for ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate effects. Historic properties may include archaeological sites, sacred and religious sites, submerged historic resources, traditional cultural places, or historic buildings, structures, or objects. The public scoping period supports consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations, as members of the public are invited to provide comments about potential effects on historic properties or seek to participate as a consulting party.
The Navy, as the lead agency, will initiate consultation in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA. The Navy will comply with the existing 2020 Programmatic Agreement Between the Commander, Joint Region Marianas and the Guam State Historic Preservation Officer, Regarding Military Training and Testing on and within the Surrounding Waters of the Island of Guam and the 2022 Programmatic Agreement Between the Commander, Joint Region Marianas and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Historic Preservation Officer, Regarding Military Training and Testing on and within the Surrounding Waters of the Islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in coordination with the historic preservation offices of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and all signatories to those agreements.
Public involvement is an important part of the NHPA Section 106 process. The Action Proponents encourage the public to help identify historic properties within the Study Area and share information regarding the identification of or potential effects on historic properties by providing a written comment during the public scoping comment period. Individuals, organizations, or agencies may submit a comment electronically via the project website or via mail to the address provided on the Public Comments page.
For information about the NHPA Section 106 consultation process, or if you are interested in becoming a consulting party, please provide your name, organization, and email address.