What is a CLG?
A CLG is a unit of local (town, city or county) government that has met the requirements of, and has applied for, certification to become a fully participating partner in national and state historic preservation programs. Requirements include passage of an ordinance committing the local government to developing and maintaining an historic preservation program along with a set of management policies, rules and procedures supportive of the professional principles of, and the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for, historic preservation. Upon certification, the CLG may apply for competitive grants to undertake its historic preservation program to protect and enhance the CLG’s historic resources.
What is an Historic Preservation Commission?
The Historic Preservation Commission is a body of local citizens appointed by the chief elected official of the Certified Local Government to implement the designated historic preservation programs and provisions of its own historic preservation ordinance and to conduct the historic preservation business of the CLG on behalf of the local government.
What advantages does the community gain by joining the CLG program?
- Gains greater control of local preservation issues
- Gains better access to federal funding for local preservation projects
- Ability to participate directly in the National Register nomination process
- Greater access to expertise, assistance, and guidance in resource management
What Responsibilities does a CLG incur?
- Must enact an ordinance which establishes a historic preservation commission and which includes designation provisions for the identification and registration of historic property and the protection of such property.
- Must enforce the preservation ordinance.
- Must appoint and maintain a qualified historic preservation commission.
- Must abide by the provisions of the certification agreement.
- Must maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties in the local area.
- Must provide for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation program.
- Recommend properties for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
- Review National Register of Historic Places nominations that involve properties within the local government’s jurisdiction.
- Adhere to all federal requirements for CLG Program.
- If awarded preservation funding, abide by the grant agreement.
Is financial assistance available?
Each year the North Dakota Historic Preservation Office allocates approximately $60,000 for individual CLGs, through a competitive application process. Monies received must be matched with 40% of more of local funds or in kind donations.
How does the CLG program affect me, as an owner of an historic property?
The Historic Preservation Commission may serve as the community’s first source of information on current historic preservation laws, practices and standards applicable to the CLG jurisdiction, may help property owners determine the cultural significance of their properties, and may provide assistance with property nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and the North Dakota State Historic Sites Registry, and with advice on the care and management of culturally significant properties. The HPC also serves as the principal liaison between the community and the State Historic Preservation Office and as the community’s historic resource advisor to the local government and its citizens.