National Historic Property Inventory Initiative (NHPII) Survey Project

Complete a nationwide study of historic property inventory data collection and management systems utilized by State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) and Federal Preservation Offices (FPOs).

In October 2006, the Preserve America Summit convened preservation experts, government agencies, and other stakeholders to consider ways to improve the Nation’s historic preservation program. The participants gave top priority to completing a comprehensive and more-readily accessible inventory of the Nation’s historic properties that would contain information necessary for the effective management of those resources. They affirmed that:

• Knowledge of the location and significance of the Nation’s historic properties is essential for informed decision-making;
• Government agencies, Indian tribes, businesses, and citizens need readily accessible information as the basis for decisions on protecting, funding, revitalizing, and interpreting historic resources;
• The national historic preservation program does not yet have comprehensive, readily accessible, and searchable databases on historic properties;
• Such databases constitute a fundamental underpinning of the entire National preservation program;
• The Federal government [in concert with states and tribes] should take a leading role in the development of search-capable electronic data collection and management systems that meet a minimum content standard. The systems will be managed and maintained at a state or local level, and may be used at a national level, as well as the state and local levels. The Federal government will provide funding, technical assistance, criteria, and guidelines;
• A comprehensive and accessible inventory of the nation’s historic legacy is a realistic goal and should be in place by the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act in 2016.

Related Announcements: RFP

• 08-04-08 - Cultural Resource Survey Essays