 SRI Foundation
Telephone: 505-892-5587
Email: lsebastian@srifoundation.org
Yeas of experience in current field: 36
Position/Title: Director, Historic Preservation Programs
EDUCATION: Ph.D., University of New Mexico, Anthropology, 1988; University of Utah, M.A., English Literature, 1977; University of Michigan, B.A., English and Secondary Education, 1969
EXPERTISE: Historic and Cultural Resources
RELATED TOPICS/EXPERIENCES: Dr. Sebastian is a nationally recognized expert in historic preservation regulatory and legislative issues. Dr. Sebastian developed and teaches several courses for the Foundation. These include Section 106 in the New Regulatory Environment, Principles and Practice of Section 106, Section 106 for Tribes, and Technical Writing for CRM Professionals. Dr. Sebastian has taught Section 106 courses for the Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (DOTs). Training for the Pennsylvania DOT is conducted on an annual basis. Employees of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), and DOT consultants have also attended these courses along with state DOT staff. In addition to her training experience with state DOTs, Dr. Sebastian created a “how-to” tool kit for state DOTs on developing programmatic agreements for cultural and natural resources. The tool kit, developed for AASHTO, was created in the form of a CD and web-based self-paced tutorial for historic preservation and transportation professionals. The tool kit is also accessible through Center for Environmental Excellence by AASHTO web site.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Sebastian was the State Historic Preservation Officer for the state of New Mexico. In this position, she administered state and federal historic preservation laws; provided technical assistance to federal, state, and local government agencies; maintained and made available information concerning historic and prehistoric properties and surveys; maintained the state’s National and State Registers of historic properties; conducted public education and outreach programs; provided technical assistance and preservation incentives for owners of historic and prehistoric sites; reviewed Section 106 compliance projects and programs; and consulted with federal, state, and local agencies and with Native Americans and other traditional communities about preservation planning, archaeological research designs, and mitigation plans.
Recent Projects, Publications and Accomplishments Include:
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Historic Preservation Specialist, National Highway Institute Course 142049, "Beyond Compliance: Historic Preservation in Transportation Project Development." Co-developed this NHI course on Section 106 and the integration of Section 106 with NEPA and Section 4(f). Course also examines innovative approaches to streamlining the Section 106 process and enhancing stewardship of cultural resources. In addition to co-developing this NHI course, also serving as one of the SRI Foundation's instuctors to deliver the course.
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Section 106 consultant, assisted with consultation and developed a programmatic agreement for the I-70 Mountain Corridor Project. I-70 project involved a tiered NEPA process for transportation improvements affecting multiple historic properties, including a National Historic Landmark. Conducted for J.F. Sato & Associates on behalf of Colorado Department of Transportation.
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Conference Co-Organizer and Facilitator, Working Conference on Enhancing and Streamlining Section 106 Complaince and Transportation Project Delivery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, February 2004. The conference evaluated current historic preservation regulatory practices and developed an action plan to improve these practices in terms of national transportation programs. Representatives from FHWA, AASHTO, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, state DOTs, State Historic Preservation Offices, and tribes participated in this conference. The results and recommendations of the conference were compiled by the Foundation and distributed nationally. Conference was funded by FHWA, AASHTO, National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, and the SRI Foundation.
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Historic Preservation Specialist, Interstate Highway Historic Context Development. Assisted in the development of a nationwide historic context for evaluating the National Register eligibility of the interstate system. Facilitated initial meeting of project team. Services provided to the Louis Berger Group, who was the primer contractor with the Federal Highway Administration.
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Historic preservation consultant, Taos Airport Improvements. Co-developed historic preservation component of NEPA compliance and Section 106 compliance for proposed airport improvements. Project involves consultation with tribal and traditional Hispanic community concerning traditional cultural property issues. Conducted for URS Corporation on behalf of Federal Aviation Administration.
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