The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has extended public comments on updates to state rules for the National Register Program until August 31st.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is extending the date to accept public comments on proposed changes to rules governing how the state protects important historical places until 5 p.m. Aug. 31, 2020.
The state is proposing updates to the Oregon Administrative Rules that govern how the state administers the federal National Register of Historic Places Program, which lists buildings, districts and other sites important to local, state or national history. The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) — an office of OPRD — administers the local program, which is run by the National Park Service.
In Oregon, 2,065 properties — including 133 historic districts located across the state’s 36 counties and representing many aspects of the state’s rich history — are now listed in the National Register.
In the last several years, several high-profile, controversial nominations exposed problems with the National Register process, including determining owner consent and public involvement. Proposed changes seek to establish a fair and transparent process in alignment with federal requirements.
To learn more about this process and how to comment, please visit OPRD’s website: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx