1. The Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office & 106 Reviews
Presented By: Mary Ann Heidemann, Manager Government Programs and Compliance For: ACE/MN Annual Conference March 5, 2012

2. Establishment of SHPO
SHPO authorized in Sec. 101 of the National Historic Preservation Act, passed in 1966
Minnesota SHPO established in 1968
SHPO appointed by each State’s Governor
Federal Act sets minimum program requirements 6

3. Duties of the SHPO Under The National Historic Preservation Act
Conduct a comprehensive state-wide survey of historic resources
Nominate properties to the National Register
Create & implement the State Preservation Plan
Administer State program of Federal preservation incentive programs
Assist local units & state agencies with historic preservation
Consult with Federal agencies about impact of Federal projects on historic resources
Provide public information, education, training and technical assistance

4. Intended Audiences Owners of historic properties
Local government units
State agencies
Federal agencies
Tribes
Preservation groups
Preservation professionals
The public

5. Participation in SHPO/THPO Programs
All 50 States
Eight US Territories
Washington DC
Native American Tribes
MN has 9 THPOs currently (out of 11 recognized tribes)

6. MN SHPO Organizational Structure & Location
SHPO is located in MN Historical Society (MHS)
MN Legislature named head of MHS as State Historic Pres. Officer
Government function inside a private, non-profit institution
SHPO offices located in History Center, in downtown St. Paul

7. SHPO Director and Staff in MN
Steve Elliott Heads MN Historical Society and Serves as the MN SHPO
Barbara Howard is Deputy SHPO & Department Head
SHPO has 18 staff persons in four areas
Administration: 2
Outreach & Grants: 7
Register & Incentives: 4
Compliance: 5
Many state/federal agencies employ in-house historians & archaeologists (ie: MnDOT)

8. MN SHPO Organizational Chart

9. MN SHPO Staff

10. SHPO Programs in Minnesota
National Register
Federal Tax Credits
State Tax Credits
MN Legacy Grants
MN Main Street Prog.
Sec. 106 Reviews
Assist Local Heritage Preservation Comm.
Keep Historic Site & Survey Records
Create Preservation Plan

11. Sec. 106 review per 36 CFR Part 800

12. Programmatic Agreement between FHWA, SHPO & MnDOT Internalizes Transportation Review
MnDOT’s Cultural Resources Unit (CRU) represents FHWA
CRU reviews FHWA projects for potential affects on historic properties
Projects with no historic properties move forward
Projects historic properties but no effect move forward
Projects that may affect historic properties go to SHPO

13. “Reasonable Effort” is required by regs to identify historic properties. This means a survey.
Survey Requirements:
Cover both structures & archaeological sites
Identify known sites
Conduct Phase I Survey to discover any new sites
Evaluate Register eligibility of new sites
If site is Register eligible, evaluate effect of project on the historic property

14. Compliance Unit Sec. 106 Review Process Applies to projects receiving federal funds or permits that have the potential to effect historic sites. In FY 2010, 5006 new review packets were received.
Project Receipt & Screening
Distribution for Comments
Sent to appropriate staff
Archaeologist
Architectural Historian
Architect
Twice monthly triage
Experts make comments
Compliance Unit compiles response within 30 days
Complex projects may require series of responses
Hard copy submittals only
Date stamped & logged in
Map & file of project area & known sites created
Projects with no effect on historic properties get quick turn-around
Projects in or near known sites are reviewed further
Distributed internally

15. SHPO Submittal Content
Describe undertaking
Funding & permits
Project location map
Area of Potential Effect
Ground to be disturbed
Building/site photos
Available plans/designs
Public participation info
Don’t assume we understand the project as well as you do!

16. Check with SHPO for Known Sites
Site Data Base Includes:
Access to Site Data
Historical and Architectural Sites
Archaeological Sites
Regulatory Status of Sites:
Listed in National Register
Certified as eligible
Staff finding as eligible
Location of sites (T,R, Sec)
State Register sites listed in MN Historic Sites Act
Mapped on SHPO topos
Known sites also have a file
Maps and files open to public Tues-Fri, 8:30-4:00
Or send data base query to: requesting known sites in each geo section of interest
Queries run once a week

17. If Historic Properties are Present or Suspected Within the APE, SHPO Concerns Can Include:
Archaeological site disturbance
Adverse building or site impact
Additions or alterations
Severing property
Adverse site modifications
Changes in key site features
Change of setting & function
Visual effects
Noise, vibration & traffic
Historic Dist. business impacts

18. Resolution of Adverse Effects
Avoid
Find known sites
Change plans
Minimize
Compatible designs
Mitigate
Negotiate an MOA
Agree on stipulations
Typical Hot Buttons:
Near water (archaeology)
CCC/WPA structures
Mid-century modern designs
Construction impacts
Visual or noise effects on nearby historic sites

19. Questions or Comments? Thank You!