Environmental Review Project Submittal

How to Submit a New Project for Review with the State Historic Preservation Office and Office of State Archaeology

To submit a review request, gather all the information in our Project Review Checklist in your own format or use our Request For Initial Project Review New Project Form. Submit to Environmental.Review@dncr.nc.gov with Subject: "New Project Review + Project Name + County."

For projects that have already been reviewed (i.e. has an ER Tracking #) and has an updated Scope of Work that needs to be reviewed, or needs an updated letter, etc., simply email Environmental.Review@dncr.nc.gov with the ER # in the subject line + reason. Attach any deliverables, cover letters explaining what you need, etc., as relevant.

We have separate submission forms for NCDOT-related Waste/Borrow/Laydown/Staging sites and Cell Tower/Antenna. NCDOT Waste/Borrow and Cell Tower Forms.

When Should I Expect to Receive a Response Letter? 

Our 30-calendar day review period begins when you receive an email reply message stating that your project has been processed for review. If your submittal is missing any deliverables this will delay the review of your project.

Please note, our office reviews and send letters on a First In, First Out basis, and processes on average 3,000 new projects per year, 500 projects still in review or require updated review, or about 300 projects per month. 

Helpful Quick Links

• For access to HPOWEB to see recorded architectural (above ground) properties and historic properties.
  • Link for a more comprehensive legend for HPOWEB.
  • HPOWEB does not include archaeological data. For access here is a link to request to conduct background research with the Office of State Archaeology (OSA).
    • PLEASE NOTE: Archaeological background research is NOT REQUIRED for initial project review.
• For Cell Towers, Guy-wired, Co-Locations or Waste/Borrow (NCDOT-related only) review request, please use Forms.
• For Locally Administered Projects (LAP) please use the Project Review Checklist or New Project Review Form and review NCDOT Review Procedures. Your transmittal/Start of Study is REQUIRED to state that the project is LAP.
• For projects immediately adjacent, within, or in viewshed of a local landmark or historic district (as seen on HPOWEB), please contact the local historic preservation commission to inquire if a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is needed for your project. You can view this site to determine if an HPC exists and who the point of contact is.
• Historic Structure Survey Reports (HSSR) for ER Branch, Standards for Fieldwork and Report Writing
• Database of Architectural Historians for ER Projects
• Access to past HSSRs and the ER Library (in-person and digital)

Training and Disaster Response Guides can be found here: additional resources.

Questions? Contact the ER Branch at Environmental.Review@dncr.nc.gov.