Your State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) is the appointed official in each of 59 states, territories and the District of Columbia who is responsible for helping to save the places that matter. Whether it is guiding citizens through the process of listing important historic resources or neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places, or considering the impact of large renewable energy projects on historic landscapes or archaeological sites, your SHPO is your partner in preservation.
Every State and U.S. Territory has a SHPO who, with the support of qualified staff, are charged with:
- Conducting a comprehensive survey of historic properties
- Maintaining an inventory of historic properties
- Administering state programs of Federal assistance
- Identifying and nominating eligible properties to the National Historic Register
- Advising and assisting Federal, State and local governments in matters of historic preservation
- Preparing and implementing a statewide historic preservation plan
- Providing public information, education, training and technical assistance
- Working with local governments in the development of local historic preservation programs and help them become “certified local governments”
- Provide consultation for Federal undertakings under the Section 106 provision of the National Historic Preservation Act
Applicant’s working with SHPOs
RD has delegated authority to its applicants pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(4), and 7 CFR § 1970.5(b)(2) of the regulations, ‘Environmental Policies and Procedures’ (7 CFR Part 1970), to initiate and proceed through Section 106 review, and advocates for the direct interactions between its applicants and the SHPO. In delegating this authority, RD is advocating for early communication with the SHPO in the Section 106 process. RD believes this interaction, prior to direct agency involvement, will support and encourage the consideration of impacts to historic properties earlier in the project planning Process. Therefore, RD applicants may submit information to SHPOs to initiate or continue the Section 106 process on its behalf.
SHPO Consultation Preferences
Before submitting Section 106 information to SHPOs, please identify their Section 106 submission and review procedures. These procedures can often be found on their website. Failure to follow their procedures will result in extended review time.