We would like to make you aware of animportant development in the agency management of cultural resources.  Ournonprofit, Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI) just received a $5000contribution from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) in support of ourstreaming-media Web site, The Archaeology Channel (archaeologychannel.org;TAC).  As you may know, TAC is a unique media distribution outlet thatserves as a vehicle for public outreach about cultural heritage and historicpreservation. 
 
This payment represents an innovativeform of mitigation for the effects of a transportation project (two bridgesover the Ohio River) on a prehistoric archaeological site in that state. Essentially, the funds are intended to promote public education about culturalheritage in order to offset the negative project effects on the site.  Toour knowledge, this is the first time that this form of alternative mitigationhas been implemented in the United States or anywhere in the world.  Morecommonly, mitigation of project effects takes the form of archaeologicalexcavation or some other form of direct action in relation to the site beingaffected.  Public outreach is often (not always) a part of the mitigationpackage, but it typically involves a relatively modest and local effort.
 
For many years, programming aboutKentucky archaeology has appeared on The Archaeology Channel andties between ALI and Kentucky cultural heritage professionals have grown. Discussions about carrying out mitigation through direct contribution to ALIbegan in June 2012.  Implementation of the idea took the form of acontract between ALI and the KYTC, under which ALI features expanded Kentuckyinformation and programming on The Archaeology Channel.  TheKentucky funding supports this promotion and helps keep ALI financially healthyas it works to develop media programming and distribution.
 
Phil Logsdon, Assistant Director ofthe KYTC, had this to say about their decision to invest mitigation funding insuch a manner: “ALI provides a distribution platform that we (or any agency ontheir own) could not hope to replicate.  We are excited to support thatnetwork and highlight Kentucky archaeology videos at the same time.”  Philhas told us that he ([log in to unmask]; 502-564-7250)and the KYTC Archaeology Coordinator Susan Neumeyer ([log in to unmask];502-564-7250x3346) would be happy to talk with people from other states andagencies about how they justified and processed this mode of mitigation.
 
Kentucky has demonstrated leadershipin this regard.  We urge other agencies around the country to considermaking similar contributions to our public outreach program when appropriate asa form of alternative mitigation of project effects on historicproperties.  Such help will improve our ability to continue and grow aunique and robust media effort that reaches out to a growing audience ofmillions in this country and around the world.
 
Rick Pettigrew
Richard M. (Rick) Pettigrew, Ph.D.,RPA
President and Executive Director
Archaeological Legacy Institute
4147 E. Amazon Dr.
Eugene, OR 97405
USA
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www.archaeologychannel.org
541-345-5538
541-338-3109(fax)
Skype:rick.pettigrew