Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 4715.16
September 18, 2008
Incorporating Change 1, November 21, 2017
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: Cultural Resources Management
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction establishes DoD policy and assigns responsibilities under the
authority of DoD Directive (DoDD) 5134.01 (Reference (a)) and in accordance with DoDD
4715.1E (Reference (b)) to comply with applicable Federal statutory and regulatory
requirements, Executive orders (E.O.s), and Presidential memorandums for the integrated
management of cultural resources on DoD-managed lands.
2. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE. This Instruction applies to:
a. The OSD, the Military Departments (including their Reserve Components), the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the
Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter
referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
b. All DoD operations, activities, and real property in the United States, including public
lands withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under public land laws and reserved for use by
the Department of Defense. Overseas operations and activities will follow the policy and
guidance set forth in DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4715.5 4715.05 and DoD 4715.05-G (References
(c) and (d)).
3. DEFINITIONS. See Glossary.
4. POLICY. It is DoD policy to:
a. Manage and maintain cultural resources under DoD control in a sustainable manner
through a comprehensive program that considers the preservation of historic, archaeological,
