Title:  Historic Preservation in North Dakota II: A Statewide Comprehensive Plan

Number of Pages: 37
Approval Date: October 31, 2003
Planning Cycle: 6 years

Contact Information:
     Walter L. Bailey
     Historic Preservation Planner
     Historic Preservation Division
     State Historical Society of North
        Dakota
     612 East Boulevard Avenue
     Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
     (701) 328-3577; fax (701) 328-3710
     E-mail: wbailey@state.nd.us
     Web Site: www.state.nd.us/hist/hp/chpp.html

Mission/Vision Statement:
The vision of the historic preservation community in North Dakota is a state in which the tangible remains of all the diverse groups that have contributed to the heritage of North Dakota shall have been identified, located, recorded, evaluated, registered and preserved in ways beneficially compatible with the best interest of the cultural resources and the people of the state; and a state in which the physical remains, information, data, and artifacts of each significant cultural property will be accessible to all the public for respectful, inspirational, and scholarly understanding, interpretation, and appreciation, in the following ways:

• The state's citizens are generally knowledgeable of, and respectful towards, the full range of cultural values in the state;
• Federal, state and local governments, businesses, organizations and individuals willingly acknowledge and share responsibility for preserving historic sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts;
• Local governments have developed a clear understanding of the cultural and historic values pertinent to their jurisdictions and routinely arbitrate preservation issues in accordance with local values;
• The characteristics and contributions of each of the state's cultural rootstocks are recognized as valued parts of the state's heritage and routinely receive appropriate recognition and consideration in preservation efforts;
• Preservation of the full range of cultural properties is viewed as contributory to the economic and social vitality of the state's cities, towns and rural areas;
• Financial incentives are available to aid and encourage preservation efforts;
• The public is aware of the benefits of rehabilitation and restoration as an alternative to demolition and new construction, yet recognizes that both development and preservation may each contribute to economic growth;
• The preservation ethic is so widely accepted by the state's citizens that preservation of cultural resources is accepted as a common social standard;
• The public recognizes the importance of prehistoric and historic archeological sites and respects their preservation as much for their information as for the artifacts they contain;
• Each community recognizes its valued historic character and is willing to invest the resources and materials necessary to preserve, enhance and interpret that character;
• The State Historic Preservation Office is routinely recognized as a primary preservation authority based on the knowledge, experience and leadership of its staff and their ability to assist preservation efforts with technical guidance, regulatory expertise and financial support;
• There are sufficient well-trained, knowledgeable and experienced State Historic Preservation Office staff and adequate funding to accomplish necessary program functions and to meet emergency situations as they occasionally arise;
• The State Historic Preservation Office is routinely recognized as an important contributing part of the research function of the State Historical Society of North Dakota which generates and disseminates professional publications of the highest quality.

PLAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Public Participation Strategies:

• Well publicized, annual, open public meetings in various communities around the state, including multi-community tours (Community Conversations);
• Solicited feedback during presentations at meetings of special interest groups;
• Distribution of preservation planning questionnaire.

• Review of 1995 Plan in context of current conditions and circumstances.
• SHPO Comprehensive Planning Committee.

ISSUES, THREATS, & OPPORTUNITIES

• Fewer than 20% of the state's cultural properties have been identified and recorded;
• More than 20% of the state's population lives in local communities that are CLGs;
• North Dakotans are becoming more aware of their history, although many do not recognize the value of historic resources, and some see historic properties as obstacles to achieving other goals;
• Heritage tourism helps expand public awareness;
• Resurgence of heritage partnership organizations are vitally important;
• Establishment of Tribal Historic Preservation Offices strengthen preservation attitudes;
• Cyclical boom-bust agricultural economy affects financial resources available for preservation, lands allocated to production, main street businesses;
• Additional and innovative funding sources are needed;
• Declining population in rural areas, and growing urban population;
• Urban growth encourages redevelopment and sprawl;
• North Dakotan conservatism created well constructed and well maintained structures, resulting in survival of many buildings, bridges, abandoned coal mines, etc. that now need preservation treatment.

1. Increase awareness of the presence and value of cultural resources.
2. Increase the membership, consolidate the purposes, broaden the perspectives and bolster the dedication of the state's historic preservation constituency.
3. Promote programs to identify, record, evaluate, and preserve significant cultural properties.
4. Provide financial and non-financial incentives to encourage broader participation in historic preservation efforts and program activities.
5. Promote and encourage appropriate treatment of historic properties.
6. Increase regular inclusion of historic preservation concerns in the planning and decision-making of agencies, organizations and individuals whose activities have a potential to effect significant cultural resources.

1. Increase awareness.
   • Distribute information about cultural resources;
   • Increase publications about archeological, architectural, and historic resources;
   • Expand distribution of informational material about the SHPO office;
   • Develop preservation-related programs for schools;
   • Increase visibility of preservation in local communities through public events and media attention;
   • Use site interpretation to generate interest;
   • Develop effective relationships with media outlets;
   • Provide programs about North Dakota heritage, culture, resources, and the importance of preservation;
   • Enhance the research potential of archeological, architectural, and historic collections through accessible databases of sites and collections;
   Increase public accessibility to research products.
2. Strengthen preservation constituency.
   • Promote recognition of SHPO as preservation authority;
   • Increase cooperation among preservation-oriented organizations;
   Enact local preservation ordinances
   • Expand local community participation in CLG program;
   • Promote National Trust programs;
   • Encourage American Indian tribes and other groups to increase participation in preservation;
   • Develop effective communication mechanisms;
   • Develop effective advocacy program;
   • Carry out long- and short-range planning processes, including historic contexts;
   • Broaden public understanding of and participation in preservation planning;
   • Offer professional technical assistance.
3. Identify, record, evaluate and preserve properties.
   • Continue surveys of archeological, architectural and historic properties;
   • Nominate significant properties to the National Register, North Dakota Historic Sites Registry, and as National Historic Landmarks;
   • Ensure public agencies know about properties under their jurisdiction;
   • Increase training for government agencies about Section 106 responsibilities;
   • Encourage public and private acquisition of significant properties;
   • evelop preservation strategies for significant resources.
4. Provide incentives.
   • Expand incentives to support broader participation in preservation activities;
   • Establish state funded grant program;
   • Establish statewide revolving loan program;
   • Secure legislation for state tax incentives;
   • Identify and attract private funding sources;
   • Expand awards program recognizing notable preservation efforts.
5. Encourage appropriate treatments.
   • Promote knowledge, acceptance, and use of the Secretary's Standards;
   • Increase awareness of and access to other guidance on appropriate treatments;
   • Help state agencies manage their historic properties using sound preservation principles.
6. Include preservation in planning.
   • Expand preservation planning potential of ND Cultural Resource Survey materials;
   • Maintain communication with agencies and organizations whose activities affect historic resources;
   • Ensure planning efforts include preservation issues and concerns.