Chapter 3025—Certification of Local
Governments
§ 302501. Definitions
In this chapter:
- (1) Designation.—The term “designation” means the identification and registration of property for protection that meets criteria established by a State or locality for significant historic property within the jurisdiction of a local government.
- (2) Protection.—The term “protection” means protection by means of a local review process under State or local law for proposed demolition of, changes to, or other action that may affect historic property designated pursuant to this chapter.
§ 302502. Certification as part of State program
Any State program approved under this subdivision shall provide a mechanism for the certification by the State Historic Preservation Officer of local governments to carry out the purposes of this division and provide for the transfer, in accordance with section 302902(c)(4) of this title, of a portion of the grants received by the States under this division, to those local governments.
§ 302503. Requirements for certification
(a) Approved State Program.—Any local government shall be certified to participate under this section if the applicable State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Secretary, certify that the local government—
- (1) enforces appropriate State or local legislation for the designation and protection of historic property;
- (2) has established an adequate and qualified historic preservation review commission by State or local legislation;
- (3) maintains a system for the survey and inventory of historic property that furthers the purposes of chapter 3023;
- (4) provides for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation program, including the process of recommending properties for nomination to the National Register; and
- (5) satisfactorily performs the responsibilities delegated to it under this division.
(b) No Approved State Program.—Where there is no State program approved under sections 302301 and 302302 of this title, a local government may be certified by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the local government meets the requirements of subsection (a). The Secretary may make grants to the local government certified under this subsection for purposes of this subdivision.
§ 302504. Participation of certified local governments in National Register nominations
(a) Notice.—Before a property within the jurisdiction of a certified local government may be considered by a State to be nominated to the Secretary for inclusion on the National Register, the State Historic Preservation Officer shall notify the owner, the applicable chief local elected official, and the local historic preservation commission.
(b) Report.—The local historic preservation commission, after reasonable opportunity for public comment, shall prepare a report as to whether the property, in the Commission’s opinion, meets the criteria of the National Register. Within 60 days of notice from the State Historic Preservation Officer, the chief local elected official shall transmit the report of the commission and the recommendation of the local official to the State Historic Preservation Officer.
(c) Recommendation.—
- (1) Property nominated to national register.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), after receipt of the report and recommendation, or if no report and recommendation are received within 60 days, the State shall make the nomination pursuant to section 302104 of this title. The State may expedite the process with the concurrence of the certified local government.
- (2) Property not nominated to national register.—If both the commission and the chief local elected official recommend that a property not be nominated to the National Register, the State Historic Preservation Officer shall take no further action, unless, within 30 days of the receipt of the recommendation by the State Historic Preservation Officer, an appeal is filed with the State. If an appeal is filed, the State shall follow the procedures for making a nomination pursuant to section 302104 of this title. Any report and recommendations made under this section shall be included with any nomination submitted by the State to the Secretary.
§ 302505. Eligibility and responsibility of certified local government
Any local government—
- (1) that is certified under this chapter shall be eligible for funds under section 302902(c)(4) of this title; and
- (2) that is certified, or making efforts to become certified, under this chapter shall carry out any responsibilities delegated to it in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary or advisable.