DPW protects cultural sites

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Remnants of cultures long ago lay in the canyons, hilltops and grasslands across Fort Carson's 373,000 acres. The preservation of these prehistoric and historic sites remains a top priority for garrison staff members of the Cultural Resources Management Team at Fort Carson.

"Federal agencies must protect cultural sites," said Wayne Thomas, National Environmental Policy Act and Cultural Management Branch chief, part of the Directorate of Public Works.

Established in 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act requires "each federal agency to establish a preservation program to protect and preserve historic properties."

Protecting these historic sites, the majority of which exist on active training ground for Soldiers, has proved challenging.

"There are a variety of issues needing consideration when trying to protect these sites," Thomas said. "We have to protect the location of these sites so people don't go looting. … But in the past there was too much emphasis placed on not letting people know where the sites are and then they get damaged."

Efforts to mark historical sites, which include parts of shelters built by early Americans as well as the foundations and walls of cultures living in the area after 1600, are improving. Previously, sites at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site were protected by fencing, alerting troops to the site locations. New, more visible markers, called Seibert stakes, are now being put in place.

"We mark the sites more at risk," Thomas said. "We're initially marking an additional 120 sites in the main mechanized maneuver area at PCMS, with more to follow. A similar site marking effort will start at Fort Carson soon."

Thomas said the sites slated for marking are only those eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and also at most risk of being impacted by training. Cultural survey inventories have located more than 750 eligible sites in Fort Carson's care.

To provide units the ability to conduct realistic training while protecting cultural resources, staff members are developing an overlay of cultural sites to be uploaded into the digital Battle Command Systems and used by units when planning and executing training.

Although staff members are doing their best to establish protection measures for these historically significant sites, Thomas asks that Soldiers and their leaders be aware that every effort is being made to not impact training.

"Remember these sites represent a part of our nation's heritage and they deserve to be protected," he said.