[Heritage] SHPO releases new state preservation plan

[Heritage Info]

A new historic preservation plan to guide preservation activities in the
state emphasizes integrating cultural resource management into the
planning processes of state and local jurisdictions and agencies across
Oregon.

“It is time for preservation to be taken for granted - by developers,
by city planners, by legislators, by the public,” says Chrissy Curran,
associate deputy for the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO). “It is ready to stand on its own merits. It has proven itself
to be an enduring, collective value.”

While the plan is a requirement of the National Park Service, which
provides a substantial portion of the SHPO’s funding, it is also a
valuable tool for the SHPO and for preservation constituents throughout
Oregon.

The plan spotlights overarching issues, sets goals for the state and
its preservation partners, and details a series of objectives to be
collectively met over the next five years. The plan emphasizes:
     a.  Identification and surveying of historic resources, and
expanding public access to survey data; 
     b. disaster preparedness; 
     c.  outreach and education; 
     d.  property types most at risk;
     e.  heritage partnerships and networking;
and reinforcement of the overall goal, which is to integrate cultural
resources management into the planning processes in Oregon.

A public comment period this past spring concluded the plan’s public
process, which began in 2010 with a series of regional workshops and a
heritage needs assessment survey that together garnered close to 700
responses. The National Park Service has approved the plan.

So, grab Oregon’s updated historic preservation plan and learn more
about how preservation efforts across the state are faring, how to
better leverage each other’s work, what preservation products get the
best results, and how best to promote excellent stewardship of this
state’s irreplaceable cultural resources.

The plan is available at www.oregonheritage.org, by contacting
heritage.programs at state.or.us or by contacting the State Historic
Preservation Office at 503-986-0690. The State Historic Preservation
Office is part of the Heritage Programs Division of the Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department.