Define areas to be designated as historic districts and recommend local historic district ordinances. Identify historic resources in anticipation of projects to meet requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended. Research properties representing a style, period, construction type or historic theme. The essential first step in any preservation effort is the location and identification of historic resources within a geographic area. Research involves investigating the historical background of the survey area and gathering information on specific properties, persons identified with these properties, and the historic uses and events connected to them.
Research is carried out within the framework of historic contexts.
Cultural resource survey can be categorized in a number of different ways, the most important being the distinction between reconnaissance and intensive-level survey. Intensive-level survey provides information sufficient to make National Register eligibility decisions, while reconnaissance survey provides only basic information. Intensive-level surveys involve additional research and a thorough evaluation of the resources. The Survey Products Common to all surveys is a set of inventory cards filled out by the survey team with all essential information and at least one photograph. Maps of the survey area accurately record the location of roads and buildings, and indicate an address and photo-documentary information for each structure or object in the survey.