Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 233 - Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism › Division 04 - Division of Heritage › Rule 233.04.20-001 - Rules Governing the Addition of "Criterion E" to the State Historic Register Regulation. Rules Governing the Designation of an "Arkansas Heritage Site"

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE AND
				TOURISM
DIVISION OF ARKANSAS
				HERITAGE
ARKANSAS HISTORIC PRESERVATION
				PROGRAM
RULES GOVERNING THE ADDITION OF "CRITERION E"
				AND THE ADDITION OF THE "ARKANSAS HERITAGE SITE" DESIGNATION TO THE ARKANSAS
				STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROGRAM
I.
PURPOSE
Arkansas's historic sites need to be officially
				recognized for their heritage and cultural resources so that current and future
				generations can learn about their stories and enjoy them. Such includes
				geographic areas of historic importance. Accordingly, a new criterion will be
				added to the Arkansas Register program that will allow more opportunities for
				outward recognition, research, and heritage tourism opportunities for
				geographic areas of historic importance in our state. The new criterion to be
				added to the Arkansas Register program is: "Criterion E: Geographic importance
				of a property ," the additional property type to be added is: "Area," and the
				additional area of significance to be added is: "Geography/Community Identity."
				Ark. Code Ann. § 1-4-134 created a new designation for historic sites
				known as an "Arkansas Heritage Site". Historic places listed in the Arkansas
				State Register of Historic Places through any of Criteria A - E may also
				qualify for designation as an "Arkansas Heritage
				Site".
II.
LEGISLATION
The Arkansas State Register of Historic Places was
				created in 1993 and is codified at Arkansas Code Ann. § 13-7-109. This
				code section authorizes the State Historic Preservation Officer, in
				consultation with the State Review Committee for Historic Preservation, to
				establish this listing of sites, districts, structures, buildings, areas, or
				objects above or below the surface of the earth, whether on land or in the
				waters of the state, together with any designated improvements thereon,
				significant in the history, architecture, archeology, or culture of the state,
				its communities, or the nation. It also authorizes the State Historic
				Preservation Officer, with the advice of the State Committee for Historic
				Preservation, to establish the procedures and the criteria for listing in the
				State Register of Historic Places.
The Arkansas Heritage Site designation was created
				in 2019 and is codified at Arkansas Code Ann. § 1-4-134. This code section
				authorizes the Department of Arkansas Heritage to promulgate rules necessary to
				implement this section.
III.
DEFINITIONS
Area
- An area of land containing historic or
				archeological resources that can be identified on a map and delineated by
				boundaries. In many respects an area may be thought of as a large district.
				However, where a district most often contains a group of resources of similar
				functional types, an area may encompass a wide variety of resources united by
				broad interrelated themes and geographic proximity. An example Ayould be a town
				which includes residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas
				along with transportation systems and parks and greenspaces.
Arkansas Register Program
- The Arkansas Register
				is "a listing of sites, districts, structures, buildings, areas or objects
				above or below the surface of the earth whether on land or in the waters of the
				state, together with any designated improvements thereon, significant in the
				history, architecture, archeology, or culture of the state, its communities or
				the nation. Such listings shall constitute the State Register of Historic
				Places."
Community identity of a property
- A place's
				community identity can be a blend of its geography, natural assets,
				architecture, history, culture, and economic activity. Community identity is
				what makes a place unique and distinctive in its own way. A location's unique
				architecture may be significant for its community identity. For example, the
				Charleston single houses in Charleston, South Carolina, are unique to the area
				and give Charleston part of its unique character. Also, the Old Man of the
				Mountain, prior to its collapse in 2004, was a unique natural asset that was
				identified with New Hampshire.
Geographic Importance of a property
- The
				geographic importance of a property refers to its location. A building or
				structure commonly recognized as a visual landmark due to its prominent
				location may be significant for its geographic importance. For example, a
				lighthouse has geographic importance as does a fire look-out tower. A park in
				the center of town and a cemetery on top of a hill may also have geographic
				importance. A property which helps establish a strong sense of place or
				provides community identity may be eligible for geographic
				importance.
IV.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
The State Historic Preservation Officer is delegated all powers
				necessary and convenient to carry out the responsibilities contained in these
				rules.
V.
HOW TO APPLY
The Nomination Process
I.
Determination of
			 Eligibility
The determination of eligibility form outlines the information
				required by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) staff to make a
				determination of eligibility (DOE). A DOE is the first step in considering a
				property for designation as an Arkansas Heritage Site. It is important to note
				that in order to be designated an Arkansas Heritage Site, the property must at
				least be significant at the state level.
II.
Site Visit
If the property is determined eligible, AHPP staff members will
				arrange a site visit to the property. The site visit will entail the AHPP
				documenting the potential Arkansas Heritage Site through photography and
				written documentation.
III.
Nomination Form
After the property has been determined eligible as an Arkansas
				Heritage Site and the site visit has been completed, the next step will be
				completing the Arkansas Heritage Site nomination
				form.