SOAR archaeologist recording a recovered artifact against a photographic scale during a cultural resources survey

Archaeological Consulting

Understand what came before⁠—before it changes what comes next. Soar’s California archaeologists and cultural resources specialists identify archaeological, historic, and tribal cultural resources early, helping you address CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, and AB 52 requirements while keeping your project moving.

Discuss your project → What governs the work
§106 National Historic Preservation Act AB 52 California tribal consultation Initial consultations are always complimentary Scroll

The past can shapeyour project’s future.

Gloved hands clearing soil with a brush during an archaeological excavation
Recovery is slow, deliberate work. Finding out it is needed after the excavator arrives is what costs a schedule.
  • Archaeological and cultural resources can affect design, permitting, environmental review, and construction⁠—especially when they are discovered late.
  • Soar helps identify potential resources early, understand the regulatory path, and determine what needs to happen next.
  • That gives you more time to evaluate options, coordinate with agencies and tribes, make informed project decisions, and keep cultural resource issues from becoming unexpected delays.

Finding and understanding those resources early matters.

What governs the work

Four frameworks,one record.

Cultural resources compliance can involve CEQA, NEPA, Section 106, and AB 52⁠—sometimes on the same project. Soar helps you understand which requirements apply, when consultation needs to begin, and how the pieces fit together without losing sight of your project schedule.

CEQACalifornia Environmental Quality Act. Cultural and historic resources evaluated as part of environmental review.
NEPANational Environmental Policy Act. Federal review when funding, land, approvals, or permits create a federal nexus.
Section 106National Historic Preservation Act. Identification of historic properties, evaluation of effects, and consultation to resolve them.
AB 52California tribal consultation regarding tribal cultural resources, initiated early in the CEQA process.

Most projects don’t fit neatly into one regulatory box. Soar connects the requirements into one coordinated cultural resources strategy⁠—helping reduce duplication, avoid missed steps, and keep review moving forward.

Archaeological & cultural resources services

Research. Record.Consult.Keep moving.

Soar’s Registered Professional Archaeologists combine archival research, records searches, field investigation, consultation, and regulatory expertise to help identify cultural resource issues early and keep them aligned with your project schedule.

Research & assessment

Phase I/II Cultural Resources Assessments · Archival Research · Literature Reviews · Records Searches · Archaeological Surveys · Resource Analysis

Historic resources

Historic Surveys · Architectural Historian Assessments · Historic Preservation Plans · Resource Significance Evaluations

Consultation & compliance

Section 106 Consultation · AB 52 Tribal Consultation · Native American Consultation · CEQA/NEPA Cultural Resources Documentation · Third-Party Peer Review

Construction & mitigation

Archaeological Monitoring · Cultural Resources Management Plans · Mitigation Programs · Artifact Documentation & Processing · Preservation Planning

California archaeology gets specific

Thousands of yearsbeneath the surface.No two regions alike.

Three worked obsidian projectile points recorded during a California cultural resources investigation
Worked obsidian, recorded and returned. Every artifact tells part of the story. Understanding its context is what tells you what it may mean for your project.

California’s cultural landscape spans thousands of years, and what matters archaeologically can change dramatically from one region to the next. The same type of resource can carry different significance depending on where it is found, its context, and the regulatory framework surrounding it.

Soar archaeologists bring experience across California⁠—from coastal and mountain environments to the Central Valley and Southern California⁠—with expertise in prehistoric and historic archaeology, field survey, construction monitoring, artifact analysis, cultural resources management, and regulatory compliance.

That regional experience helps us recognize what matters, evaluate significance, and give you a clearer answer to the question that matters most: What does this mean for my project?

Valued Partners

“The Soar Environmental team can be trusted to complete all your environmental studies and mitigation. The team will perform your studies, review your project and create a mitigation plan that allows you to begin construction with the confidence that all your environmental compliance and mitigation has been handled in a professional manner.”
Steve MaciasCivil Engineer, Sequoia Consulting
“We have used Soar to assist compliance with California environmental regulations and our experience was very good. Clear and helpful communication, always keeping us informed with the work activities and overall project progress.”
Michel MenezesConvergent Energy + Power
“Soar’s fees are very reasonable considering the level of service, dedication and drive one receives as a client. We will certainly look to Soar again in the future for our environmental consulting needs.”
Loren RoyCEO, M and EM Homes LLC
“The Chukchansi Indian Housing Authority did work with Soar Environmental Consulting and we were very satisfied with the work they completed for CIHA.”
Lorita SilvasPicayune Rancheria Housing Director

Cultural resources work across California

On the record.

All projects →
California High-Speed Rail viaduct under construction in the Central Valley California High-Speed Train, Supplement to the Final EIR/EIS, Fresno–Madera CountiesView details → Archaeological excavation in progress California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Public Lands, Phase I Cultural Resources AssessmentsView details → Sierra National Forest California High-Speed Rail, Construction Package 1D CEQA/NEPA ReexaminationView details → Archaeologist recording a recovered artifact in the field Chukchansi Indian Housing Authority, NEPA Environmental Assessment, Madera CountyView details →

One integrated team

Part of the full service line.

Cultural and archaeological resources is one of six integrated environmental services, so one coordinated team supports your project from records search through construction monitoring.

CEQA and NEPA environmental planningPlanningCEQA & NEPA Biological resources consultingResourcesBiological Resources Environmental permittingApprovalsEnvironmental Permitting Soil sampling for site assessmentSubsurfaceHazardous Materials Geological servicesSubsurfaceGeological & Hydrological

Know what’s there. Know what comes next.

Start beforethe ground moves.

Cultural resources issues are far easier to manage before construction begins. Whether your project needs a cultural resources assessment, archaeological survey, Section 106 compliance, AB 52 tribal consultation, historic resource evaluation, or construction monitoring, early involvement gives you more time to understand the risk, coordinate the right path, and avoid surprises in the field.

Tell us where your project stands and what’s ahead. Soar will help you determine what cultural resources work may be required, when it needs to happen, and how to keep it aligned with your schedule⁠—before an unexpected discovery starts making decisions for you.

Complete the form and let’s discuss your project.

Discuss your project →

Pasadena · Sacramento · Fresno · Bakersfield
Initial consultations are always complimentary.