Sagebrush regularly carries out cultural resources inventories, surveys, and test excavations. These projects frequently include recordation and evaluation of prehistoric and historic sites. In addition, Sagebrush conducts research and studies in specific topical areas like architecture, design landscape and history. This research includes historic and cultural overviews for Major Investment Studies (MIS), evaluations of historic properties and landscape, preparation of historic contextual documents, architectural inventories, assessments of Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP), historic and archival research, archival photography and HABS/HAER documentation.

To date, historic studies in conjunction with proposed construction projects include both project area overviews and contextual histories, which provide background for site eligibility determinations. Structural studies include a large number of inventory projects in both rural and urban neighborhoods containing residential and commercial buildings, as well as industrial and agricultural complexes. In addition, Sagebrush has documented various individual engineering structures such as bridges, hydroelectric plants and dams, mining complexes, railroad trestles and lime kilns.

Native American consultation has become an increasingly significant part of cultural resource management studies over the last several years. This is particularly true now with implementation of new regulations, which strengthen the requirements under 36 CFR 800. In many cases the lead agency of a project will conduct all of the consultation. In other instances, the consultant is asked to complete the process begun by the agency.

Sagebrush has extensive experience in Native American consultation, as well as, in assessing potential Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP) with whom Sagebrush has consulted. To date, Sagebrush has consulted with many tribes located throughout the Intermountain and Plains areas.

Further, Sagebrush has completed a number of resource management plans (RMP) for reservoirs and is currently in the process of completing several additional RMPs for the Bureau of Reclamation. Work at each reservoir includes completing a prehistory, history and ethnography of the area, and an inventory and evaluation of archaeological sites and historic standing structures and undertaking Native American consultation for possible traditional cultural properties (if such was not previously done). Management recommendations for cultural resources are then provided within the framework of a RMP.

The staff of Sagebrush has received training and certification by the National Highway Institute in the NEPA process and in conflict management. The staff has also completed NEPA documentation for section 4(f) and 6(f) required for Federal Highway Administration projects and has produced NEPA documents for the Central Utah Project, Tooele Army Depot, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Air Force.

Sagebrush also has significant experience with historic preservation and interpretation of commercial, industrial, domestic and agricultural landscapes. Such studies involve identifying, contextualizing and evaluating architectural, industrial and landscaping features from the historic period. Historic preservation requires an understanding of both rural and urban details related to larger structures and landscapes within a specific study area. Such details may include: sidewalks, curbs and gutters, ditches and irrigation structures, driveways, fences, horse tethering rings, light fixtures, telephone poles, street signs and large-scale advertisements, livestock structures and features, mining facilities and ore processing plants, and industrial complexes. Attention to such detail aids in dating, evaluating and, overall, understanding our integrated environment and built landscape.

• Cultural Studies
• Native American Consultation
• Resource Management Plans
• Environmental Studies
• Historic Preservation