- Utah and federal agencies adopt a new framework for faster cultural reviews.
- The process is designed to protect historic sites before fill is placed in U.S. waters.
- The agreement could reduce the number of annual consultations in Utah by hundreds.
Friday, December 5, 2025 — The Utah State Historic Preservation Office has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline the regulatory permitting process, while also preserving historically significant sites at the local, state, and national levels. The agreement establishes a streamlined path for reviewing cultural impacts during federal permitting, while preserving protections for historically significant sites.
The agreement applies to activities regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. These activities include the placement of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States, which can occur during road construction, mining operations, utility installations, or residential and commercial development. Before these activities proceed, federal law requires an evaluation of potential impacts on historic or cultural resources under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the new approach will reduce the need for hundreds of separate consultations with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office each year. Michael Jewell, chief of the Sacramento District’s Regulatory Division, stated that the agreement ensures cultural resources “are protected or appropriately compensated for before any fill is placed in waters of the U.S.”
Utah’s Track Record of Faster Turnaround.
For approximately twenty years, Utah’s State Historic Preservation Office, working with the governor’s office, has processed most cultural reviews in less than fifteen days. This is half the time allowed under federal law. The office has more recently worked to reduce that time to seven days or less. Officials say that this effort has decreased regulatory review time by more than seventy five percent.
Dr. Chris Merritt, Utah’s State Historic Preservation Officer, described the new agreement as a reflection of strong cooperation between state and federal agencies. He noted that the partnership supports the State Historic Preservation Office’s long-standing effort to make review timelines more predictable for applicants.
What It Means Going Forward.
The announcement signals continued efforts by state and federal agencies to coordinate regulatory processes while upholding cultural and historic protections. Utah officials say the revised structure will help applicants better understand requirements early in the planning process, while preserving important cultural sites across the state.