The Federal Highway Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Bureau

SAMPLE NOTIFICATION LETTER-To be provided to FHWA for transmittal to Native American Tribes

[DATE]

[TRIBAL CONTACT NAME] [TITLE] [ADDRESS]

Re: [PROJECT NAME] COUNTY: [NAME]

Dear [TRIBAL CONTACT NAME]:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is conducting preliminary engineering and environmental studies of [PROJECT NAME]. These studies, typically referred to as PD&E studies, are conducted pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, as amended), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties, as revised January 2001). This letter is meant to initiate project specific consultation between the FHWA, FDOT and the [TRIBE NAME] and to identify any issues of importance to your tribe.

The proposed [PROJECT NAME] consists of [PROJECT DESCRIPTION INCLUDING LOCATION, DIMENSIONS, WHY THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED, AND WHAT THE BENEFITS WILL BE].

We propose development and analyses of alternatives, [ALTERNATIVES]. A Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of the alternatives is currently underway and a copy of the survey will be forwarded to the [TRIBE NAME] for review and comment as part of this project specific consultation. In addition, we welcome any comments you may have pertaining to the project and the scope of the Cultural Resources Assessment Survey at this time.

We have assigned George Hadley as the primary contact for FHWA and the FDOT has assigned George Ballo of the Central Environmental Management Office as their primary contact for the government-to-government consultation. Their phone numbers are (850) 942-9650, extension 3011, and (850) 414-5259, respectively. Please also feel free to contact me at [PHONE NUMBER] if you have any questions or need additional information. We look forward to working with you and the tribal historic preservation representative on this project.

Sincerely,

[NAME] FHWA Division Administrator cc: [Additional tribal contacts] [District Engineer] [District specific contacts] George Hadley, FHWA George Ballo, FDOT Roy Jackson, FDOT