It does not require property owners to provide public access to the property. Listed properties may be eligible for federally sponsored rehabilitation grants or tax incentive programs. There is no evidence to support the idea that National Register listing increases or leads to vandalism. Frequently, increased awareness about a property's significance and integrity means more people are anxious to protect it. For most people, public information on a property's existence is one of the best ways to preserve a site.
Understanding is a key element of preservation.
Information regarding the location of a historic property may be restricted if requested by the property owner. A notice of listing is posed in the Federal Register. Copies of listed nominations are available to the public at the State Historic Preservation Office unless the information has been restricted for the purpose of protecting the property. Staff from the State Historic Preservation Office can provide information and some technical assistance for people working on the documentation necessary for nominating properties to the National Register. Nominations must be completed by the project sponsor, owner, or consultant.