Section 106

The Will County Division of Transportation is proposing a new roadway corridor extending from the U.S. Route 30/Caton Farm Road/Gaylord Road intersection to the IL Route 7 (159th Street)/Cedar Road intersection. The proposed improvements within the corridor require a federal-level environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). There are different procedural requirements for each of these laws and they are commonly completed concurrently as part of the Federal-Aid process. This page outlines the requirements of the Section 106 process that will be completed as a component of the Caton Farm – Bruce Road Phase I Study. Section 106 requires that federal agencies take into account effects on historic resources from the proposed undertaking and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment. To learn more about the ACHP, please visit their website which can be found here.

Historic Properties Identification

A draft Historic Resources Report is being completed.

As described by Section 106, the process must identify historic resources, assess potential effects on historic resources, and, if needed, resolve adverse effects. During the Section 106 process, the project must also identify and engage a variety of consulting parties in order to receive input at key decision points. The input received will aid the state and federal agencies with identifying important cultural landscape features, architectural and archaeological resources, and impacts to these resources. These responsibilities include:

  • Confirming the project’s Area of Potential Effect (APE)
  • Reviewing eligibility and findings of effect for historic properties within the APE
  • And, if applicable, providing consultation to mitigate adverse effects to historic resources

The regulations determined by the Section 106 process have identified the following groups as having a role as a Consulting Party:

  • Illinois State Historic Preservation officer (SHPO)
  • Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations
  • Representatives of relevant local, state and Federal governments
  • Applicants for federal assistance, permits, licenses and other approvals
  • Individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest in the proposed project

If an individual, or organization, is interested in becoming a consulting party at any time throughout the duration of this project, please contact Christina Kupkowski by email at ckupkowski@willcountyillinois.com. Please include your name, the organization you represent (if applicable), and a brief description regarding your interest in the proposed project.

Additional resources regarding the Section 106 Process can be found on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation website:

An Introduction to Section 106: https://www.achp.gov/protecting-historic-properties/section-106-process/introduction-section-106
A Citizens Guide to Section 106 Review: https://www.achp.gov/digital-library-section-106-landing/citizens-guide-section-106-review