Marion CorrectSeisDef - Appendix - SHPO MOA 1

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

AMONG

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

MARION, ILLINOIS

AND THE

ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER

REGARDING VAMC MARION PROJECT NO. 657-507 CORRECT SEISMIC DEFICIENCES

BUILDING 14

(SHPO LOG # 006060925)

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal agency that operates the Marion VA Medical Center (VAMC) located in the City of Marion, Williamson County, Illinois (IL) and has identified seismic deficiencies in the boiler plant (Building 14) necessitating the building’s demolition and replacement; and
WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC determined that the proposed demolition and replacement of Building 14 is a federal action that meets the definition of an undertaking, per 36 CFR § 800.16(y), and is the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic properties, and therefore subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 USC § 306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties); and WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC consulted with the IL State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), a Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), consistent with 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC invited the following federally-recognized Indian tribes to be consulting parties, consistent with 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(2), on August 27th, 2025: the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, the Peoria Tribe, the Osage Nation, the Miami Nation, the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, and none have chosen not to participate in the consultation pursuant to 36 CFR§ 800.6(a)(1)(iii); and
WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC invited the following to be consulting parties, consistent with 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(3 through 5), on August 27th, 2025: Landmarks Illinois, Williamson County Historical Society, and City of Marion Municipal Planning Department, and none chose to participate in consultation; and WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC notified the public of the undertaking and sought public comment through the Marion VAMC’s public portal (https://www.va.gov/marion-health-care/stories/public-noticenational-historic-preservation-act-public-comment-solicitation-for-project-657-507-correct-seismic/) on August 27th, 2025, with no comments received; and
WHEREAS, the Marion VAMC, in consultation with the IL SHPO and consistent with 36 CFR § 800.4(a)(1), has determined the area of potential effects (APE) to be the boundary of the Marion Veterans