Department Of Natural Resources And Conservation Land Banking Cultural Resource Inventory

Western Cultural conducted a cultural resource survey for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for the DNRC Land Banking Program. The inventory covered approximately 20,000 acres of scattered and isolated sections of School Trust Lands in Choteau, Garfield, and Custer County, Montana. The Choteau County survey covered 2,880 acres and located 19 prehistoric sites, two historic sites, and four isolated finds. None of the resources located for the investigation were recommended as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. DNRC and Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurred with the finds of the report. The Garfield County cultural resource inventory covered 9,600 acres of School Trust lands and located 13 prehistoric sites, 2 historic sites and 56 isolated finds. None of the resources located were recommended as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. DNRC archaeologists and the SHPO concurred with the findings of the report. The Custer County cultural resource investigation covered 17 proposed sales in 17 separate parcels of school trust lands. The investigation covered 9,585 acres in Custer County and located 34 prehistoric sites, 4 historic sites and 78 isolated finds. None of the resources located for the investigation were recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. DNRC Archaeologists and the SHPO concurred with the report recommendations. The project required close coordination with DNRC Area Managers, DNRC archaeologists, and landowners. The project demonstrates Western Cultural’s successful experience contracting with the State of Montana for large, complex cultural resource inventories involving prehistoric and historic resources. The project was completed on-time and on-budget.