County approves MnDOT cost‑share for cultural resource reviews on CSAH 2 reconstruction

Benton County commissioners voted to accept two resolutions that commit the county to an 80/20 cost split with MnDOT for cultural resource consultant work tied to a County State Aid 2 reconstruction.

County highway engineer Chris Berg told the board the project originally triggered Section 106 reviews of the National Historic Preservation Act after initial federal funding, and the cultural resource unit at MnDOT must complete both an archaeological review and an architectural review to determine whether any historic properties — including potential Native American burial sites or structures 50 years or older — lie within the project’s area of potential effect. "This requires additional consultant work," Berg said, describing likely field investigations and the potential for test pits if literature review is inconclusive.

Under the recommended approach MnDOT will hold and manage the consultant contracts; Benton County will reimburse MnDOT for the county’s share of actual consultant costs. Berg said MnDOT offers an 80/20 state‑aid split for the work. Commissioners voted to adopt both resolutions authorizing the agreements and to allow MnDOT to finalize the consultant contracts so the cultural reviews can proceed this spring and summer when fieldwork is possible.

Why it matters: cultural resource reviews can add time to reconstruction schedules and, if significant resources are found, may require consultation with tribal or federal agencies. Berg said the work is preferable now rather than risk discovery during active construction.