Wisconsin Cultural Resources Agreement (For Power line Construction) The Wisconsin Cultural Resources Agreement (CRA) is a legally binding agreement pertaining to the preservation and protection of cultural resources during power line construction projects in the state of Wisconsin. It involves collaboration between various stakeholders, including power line companies, government agencies, Native American tribes, and cultural resource consultants. The CRA aims to ensure that construction activities do not adversely affect significant cultural resources, such as archaeological sites, historic buildings, burial grounds, and traditional cultural properties. It is designed to comply with federal and state regulations, such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NPA) and the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) guidelines. Under the CRA, there are different types of agreements that can be formed, depending on the specific circumstances and requirements of each power line construction project. These agreements include: 1. Cultural Resources Monitoring and Reporting Agreement: This agreement involves the appointment of a cultural resource consultant who actively monitors the construction activities and reports any discoveries or disturbances to cultural resources. The consultant works closely with onsite crews to ensure compliance with preservation guidelines and mitigation measures. 2. Heritage Interpretation and Public Outreach Agreement: This agreement focuses on raising awareness and educating the public about the cultural significance of the area affected by the power line construction project. It may involve the development of interpretive signage, public events, or educational materials to engage and inform local communities about the historical and cultural value of the region. 3. Tribal Consultation and Coordination Agreement: This agreement emphasizes collaboration with Native American tribes to identify and protect cultural resources of tribal interest. Tribal representatives are consulted throughout the project planning and implementation phases to ensure their cultural concerns are addressed adequately. 4. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Programmatic Agreement (PA): In certain cases, a comprehensive agreement may be established between multiple stakeholders, including power line companies, government agencies, and Native American tribes, to address cultural resource preservation for a series of power line construction projects. These agreements outline specific procedures, roles, and responsibilities to streamline the process while accommodating future power line development. The Wisconsin Cultural Resources Agreement (CRA) plays a vital role in balancing the need for power line development with the preservation of Wisconsin's rich cultural heritage. By fostering collaboration and engaging experts from various disciplines, it aims to ensure that power line construction projects are conducted in a culturally sensitive and responsible manner.