Oklahoma Preservation Plan

Number of Pages:  95
Approval Date:  December 16, 2004
Planning Cycle:  5 years

Contact Information:

Melvena Heisch, Deputy SHPO
State Historic Preservation Office
Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma History Center
2401 N. Laird Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-7914
(405) 521-6249; fax (405) 522-0816
E-mail: mheisch@ok-history.mus.ok.us
Web site: http://www.okhistory.org/shpo/plan2005pdf.pdf

Mission/Vision Statement:
Oklahomans concerned about the future of the state's cities, towns, and rural areas have joined forces to make a difference through the preservation of significant archeological and historic resources. Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individual citizens share the responsibilities and the concerns for preservation of these important places. Appropriate laws and regulations are an integral part of a successful statewide preservation program, but it is the general public's attitude that will make the real difference. Oklahoma's preservation partners believe that they can contribute to the state's growth and economic development in the twenty-first century and that future generations should not have to depend solely on photographic archives and history books for an understanding of their heritage.

Preservation is a tool for insuring the vitality of Oklahoma's cities and towns. A tremendous investment of natural, human, and financial resources is embodied in historic buildings and structures. The quality of the construction and design of many of these properties makes them highly desirable locations for retail businesses, professional offices, recreational and entertainment facilities, and residences. Tourists are drawn to vibrant shopping areas that offer a unique environment. The state's communities each have their own character and can build on the quality to attract visitors. A community's character develops over time, and the resources that reflect the contributions of all those involved in building the community are worthy of respect.

We envision a strong communication network across the state to insure that everyone has access to information about funding programs, technical assistance, and any other relevant topic. Through this network, all Oklahomans can become involved in the preservation of the Oklahoma legacy. The heritage of the many cultures that form the Oklahoma fabric will be respected, appreciated, and protected.

Oklahoma's landscape will change as new development accommodates the needs of a healthy state economy. However, hew development will not be at the expense of the past. The new and the old will function in harmony. In describing a developer, one Oklahoma preservation leader one said that "the developer committed preservation without even knowing it." We envision a well-informed Oklahoma public that routinely commits preservation without even thinking about it.

To realize this vision, Oklahoma preservationists must continually remember a quote from another leader in our statewide preservation effort, "Come early and you are an advocate. Come late and you are an adversary." Far too much valuable time and resources are expended responding to the latest crisis situation, and failure is often the result. We will have a truly successful statewide preservation effort when preservationists become proactive in all aspects of community development, facilitate an understanding of the value of archeological and historic resources, and provide support to the public and private owners of our heritage.

Table of Contents:

A Message from the SHPO
Executive Summary
Introduction
A Vision for the Future
What is Historic Preservation?
What is the State Plan?
Development and Revision of the State Plan
Oklahoma's Resources
Threats to Oklahoma's Archeological and Historic Resources
Goals and Objectives
Suggested Activities for Meeting the Goals of the State Plan
Glossary
Bibliography
Appendices

PLAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Public Participation Strategies:

• Needs assessment designed and distributed at the statewide preservation conference;
• Public meeting to solicit input, and comments were recorded;
• Round table discussion for preservation professionals to formulate goals and priorities;
• Draft Plan submitted for public and professional review.

• Consultation with the Historic Preservation Committee of the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors and the Historic Preservation Review Committee (state review board) to design the needs assessment and evaluating public comments.

ISSUES, THREATS, & OPPORTUNITIES

• Compliance with Section 106 addresses many of the threats facing archaeological resources;
• Neglect is common cause of loss of archaeological resources;
• Reluctance or limited financial ability of government agencies to serve as stewards of the archaeological resources under their care;
• Privatization of public land threatens archaeological resources, due to limited legal tools available for resource protection;
• Vandalism and looting of archaeological sites for profit, especially the increase in antiquities trafficking by drug dealers;
• Tornadoes and lack of effective disaster response strategies threaten historic buildings and structures;
• Development and economic pressures threaten historic resources;
• Limited financial incentives and other funding for preservation;
• Lack of state and local laws for resource protection, except for local preservation zoning;
• Lack of public awareness and understanding of historic resources and preservation benefits;
• Preservation advocacy often is not timely enough to ensure preservation;
• Lack of informed preservation leadership in many communities.

1. Increase the public's awareness of Oklahoma's archeological and historic resources and the importance of their preservation.
2. Develop and maintain an effective statewide network to communicate preservation information, needs, and concerns.
3. Strengthen efforts to identify and evaluate archeological and historic resources.
4. Develop appropriate strategies for the preservation of archeological and historic resources and encourage the use of widely accepted treatment methods.
5. Provide incentives for the preservation of Oklahoma's significant archeological and historic resources.
6. Foster the consideration of archeological and historic resources in public and private sector planning and decision-making processes.

1. Increase public awareness.
   • Develop preservation education programs for all academic levels;
   • Work with the media to transmit information;
   • Widely disseminate information about resources;
   • Create preservation programs for various groups and agencies;
   • Develop preservation advocacy effort;
   • Educate the public through historic properties.
2. Develop preservation network.
   • Expand network of preservation partners;
   • Work with Native Americans and ethnic groups to preserve their heritage;
   • Distribute information about national, state, and local issues and activities;
   • Use information technology to distribute information;
   • Create forums for information exchange and discussion of issues.
3. Identify, evaluate, and treat significant resources.
   • Develop historic context information to support identification and evaluation activities;
   • Conduct resource surveys;
   • Designate significant archaeological and historic resources.
4. Use preservation methods.
   • Establish partnerships to facilitate resource preservation;
   • Increase preservation leadership skills;
   • Encourage use of the Secretary's Treatment Standards;
   • Disseminate information about preservation techniques;
   • Use professionals on preservation projects;
   • Develop training for professionals;
   • Make historic properties ADA-compliant;
   • Acquire, preserve, and interpret archaeological and historic resources.
5. Provide incentives for preservation.
   • Establish state grant program;
   • Expand statewide revolving loan program;
   • Support tax incentive legislation;
   • Support local financial incentives for commercial and residential districts and for rural landscapes;
   • Seek private funding sources;
   • Recognize outstanding preservation efforts.
6. Include preservation in planning.
   • Enforce existing resource protection laws;
   • Support state preservation legislation;
   • Include preservation in local planning efforts;
   • Provide training for law enforcement officials;
   • Provide technical assistance for complying with federal laws;
   • Encourage adaptive reuse;
   • Encourage neighborhood preservation;
   • Encourage historic landscape preservation.

FEATURES OF NOTE
To encourage active partner participation in plan implementation, a series of activities are suggested that citizens, organizations, public agencies, and the SHPO can carry out to achieve each goal and objective.