Soil Disturbance Within Archaeological Sites on University Lands: Construction and Maintenance Operations

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Policy Number:
UW-6033
Responsible Office:
Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

UW-Madison has stewardship responsibility for Archaeological Sites on University Lands that have been used by humans for over 12,000 years. Archaeological Sites may include cultural resources related to human burials or human habitation. UW-Madison is committed to protecting and preserving these sites as required by state and federal law.

This policy details roles and responsibilities for construction and maintenance operations that will disturb, or have the potential to disturb, soil within an Archaeological Site on University Lands. This pre-planning process offers oversight and training opportunities in conjunction with implementing relevant statutory compliance requirements (Wis. Stats. §§ 44.40 and 157.70).

Soil disturbance associated with teaching and academic research activities are included in a separate policy. See UW-6032 Soil Disturbance on University Lands: Research or Teaching Activities.

Definitions:
Archaeological Resources
Objects of archaeological interest, aboriginal mounds and earthworks, ancient burial grounds, prehistoric and historical ruins, Indian mounds, historic and prehistoric watercraft and associated objects, aircraft and other archaeological and historical features.
Archaeological Site
Any area known to include archaeological resources determined to be eligible or listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), or are designated as a catalogued or uncatalogued burial site recorded on the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Database (WHPD).
Construction and Maintenance Activities
All construction work, as defined in Wis. Stat. § 16.87(1)(a), and all maintenance of university lands (e.g., lawn care; tree trimming; tree or plant installation and removal; road/trail/sidewalk installation, grading, or removal; sign and utility pole installation or removal; site excavation and surface grading; fence or barrier installation or removal; erosion control installations such as water bars, trenches, or culverts; irrigation equipment installation or operation; any activities necessary and convenient for carrying out construction and maintenance activities that may cause soil compaction).
Field Archaeology
Activity related to the study of the traces of human culture by means of surveying, digging, sampling, excavating, or removing objects.
Historical or Cultural Resources
Physical evidence of past human activity significant to a culture or community's history.
Soil Disturbance
Any compaction, displacement, addition, or removal of soil.
University Lands
All real property owned or leased by the Board of Regents on behalf of UW-Madison and all other real property otherwise subject to the custody or control of UW-Madison.
UW-Madison Project Representative
University employee with oversight and management responsibilities for specific construction or maintenance projects on university lands (e.g., university planners, landscape architects, engineers, and architects; facility managers; land care managers; project managers; trades and services supervisors).
Scope:

This policy applies to all UW-Madison project representatives overseeing and managing construction and maintenance activities.

Policy:
  1. The Division of Facilities Planning and Management/Campus Planning and Landscape Architecture (CPLA) shall be responsible for the following:
    1. Developing, maintaining, and publishing a map or maps depicting all known archaeological sites on university lands.
    2. Developing procedures and providing guidance for implementation of this policy. The procedures shall include:
      1. Developing and maintaining an online system through which UW-Madison project representatives can submit proposed construction and maintenance activities to CPLA for review.
      2. Reviewing proposed construction and maintenance activities for statutory compliance. CPLA shall, to the extent practicable, work to avoid soil disturbance within archaeological sites. When CPLA determines that avoiding soil disturbance in an archaeological site cannot be practically avoided it shall notify the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at the Wisconsin Historical Society and comply with the statutory requirements set forth in Wis. Stat. § 44.40.
    3. Developing, maintaining, and providing training and educational materials to support policy implementation.
  2. UW-Madison Project Representatives shall:
    1. Review the map or maps prepared by CPLA depicting all known archaeological sites on university lands to determine whether a proposed construction and maintenance activity is within an archaeological site or within twenty-five (25) feet of the boundary thereof. If the UW-Madison project representative determines that a proposed construction and maintenance activity is within an archaeological site or within twenty-five (25) feet of the boundary thereof he/she shall submit the proposed activity to CPLA for review in accordance with procedures developed by CPLA.
    2. Be responsible for complying with CPLA’s procedures and all other applicable laws, policies, and procedures related to use of university lands.
    3. Be responsible for ensuring persons under their supervision and control do not engage in construction and maintenance activities that are subject to CPLA review under this policy unless approved by CPLA, and only in accordance with any terms and conditions CPLA imposes as a condition of such approval.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Management
Policy Manager:
Director, Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture
Contact:
Director, Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture -- Scott Utter, scott.utter@wisc.edu, (608) 263-3023
Effective Date:
05-29-2026
Date Issued:
05-18-2026
Retrieved:
05-30-2026 13:07:35