Nebraska Preservation Plan

Number of Pages: 28
Approval Date: July 14, 1995
Planning Cycle: None Given

Contact Information:
          Bob Puschendorf, Deputy SHPO
          Nebraska State Historical Society
          P.O. Box 82554
          Lincoln, Nebraska 68501
          (402) 471-4769; fax (402) 471-3100
          E-mail: hpnshs@nebraskahistory.org

Mission/Vision Statement:
None specified within Plan.

Table of Contents:
           Acknowledgements
           Introduction
           Final Report
           Cultural Preservation
           Planning & Law
           Economics
           Archeology
           Education
           Appendices

PLAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Public Participation Strategies:

• Eight public forums;
• Actively sought both urban and rural input;
• Questionnaires given out at forums;
• Commissioned a Social Indicators Survey for public opinion.

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Archeological sites; Native American resources; Nebraska's pioneer heritage; rural landscapes, urban greenways, and riverways; historic buildings.

ISSUES, THREATS, & OPPORTUNITIES

• A large majority of citizens feel preservation is important;
• Apathy among youth towards preservation;
• Lack of cooperation efforts to identify and protect ethnic and cultural resources;
• Strained inter-cultural relations;
• Preserve needs to embrace traditional cultural practices;
• Need for better state review process;
• Inconsistent local planning due to lack of funding and technical support for preservation and archeology;
• State enabling legislation does not always recognize the importance of historic properties;
• Conflicting building code requirements;
• Demolition by inaction, intention, and neglect;
• Lack of incentives for archeological sites and single family dwellings;
• Lack of incentives for non profit and public use of historic sites;
• Lack of support for hazardous material removal;
• Need for region surveys and preservation planning;
• Lack of heritage education programs and materials;
• Non-federal public projects not required to consider archeology;
• Lack of easements program;
• Lack of support networks for preservation;
• Archeological research and advocacy not well coordinated.

1. That the governor issue a statement affirming the preservation of historic places as a policy of the State of Nebraska.
2. That the governor convene a conference inviting senators, public officials, state agencies, and citizens to advance the recommendations.
3. That the many preservation organizations and private citizens who came forth during the work of the task force combine their efforts into an active statewide advocacy group to advance these recommendations.

1. Cultural Preservation.
   • Celebrate multi-cultural traditions through educational programs;
   • Preserved properties should reflect state's diversity;
   • Encourage tribal preservation programs;
   • Enact state and local laws to protect significant cultural sites;
   • Increase dialogue between all "keepers" of Nebraska 's traditions.
2. Planning and Law.
   • Enact more comprehensive state and local preservation legislation;
   • Encourage cooperation between state and private preservation programs;
   • Adopt the "Uniform Code for Building Conservation;"
   • Increase accessibility for the disabled while protecting historic character.
3. Economics.
   • Inclusion of preservation in state, regional, and local community development;
   • Recognize the potential of state preservation tax incentives;
   • Freeze taxes for historic properties;
   • Create a heritage trust fund;
   • Promote heritage tourism;
   • Create resource guides for developers.
4. Archeology.
   • Better legislative protection for archeological sites;
   • Establish a State Archeology Office (sample legislation included in Appendices);
   • Encourage the protection of sites on private property.
5. Education.
   • Incorporate preservation into education programs for teachers;
   • Increase programs and resources available to teachers;
   • Increase educational opportunities for students and the public;
   • Develop workshops and materials on preservation for local communities.

Cooperating/Partnering Organizations:
National Park Service, American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nebraska Archeological Society, Nebraska Association of Professional Archeologists, Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Department of Roads, Nebraska Downtown Association, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska History network, Nebraska Museums Association, Nebraska Preservation Council, Inc.

FEATURES OF NOTE
Audiocassettes of the plan produced to better familiarize state representatives.