Virginia Administrative Code
Title 17 - LIBRARIES AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Agency 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Historic Resources is charged with encouraging, stimulating, and supporting the identification, evaluation, protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of the Commonwealth's significant historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources in order to establish and maintain a permanent record of those resources. The department and its director carry out the policies of the Board of Historic Resources in addition to the duties prescribed in Chapters 22 and 23 of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

For purposes of carrying out the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 ( P.L. 89-665 ), as amended, the director of the department is designated Virginia's State Historic Preservation Officer. The director is authorized to promulgate regulations as are necessary to carry out all responsibilities incumbent upon the State Historic Preservation Officer, including at a minimum criteria and procedures for submitting nominations of properties to the National Park Service for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a National Historic Landmark. The director is also authorized to promulgate regulations as necessary to review and certify properties and projects applying for Virginia rehabilitation income tax credits. The department has additional mandates under federal law that coincides with or supports its statewide mission. These include review of certain federal projects, certification of historic districts and structures and rehabilitation of such structures for federal income tax purposes, certification of local government historic preservation programs, and oversight of federal historic preservation grants. Code of Virginia, Title 10.1, Chapter 22.

The department is authorized to certify historic districts and structures and the rehabilitation of such structures for state income tax purposes. Section 58.1-339.2 of the Code of Virginia. It has general supervision over operations to recover underwater historic property. Code of Virginia, Title 10.1, Chapter 22. It is authorized to issue permits for archaeological field investigations on state-controlled lands and on the land designated by it as state archaeological sites or zones. Code of Virginia, Title 10.1, Chapter 23.

The department is authorized to oversee the expenditure of public funds allocated to local and private agencies for purposes of historic preservation. The department is responsible for disbursement of funds appropriated for the care of Confederate cemeteries and graves and of facilities of certain historical organizations. The department is also charged with administering the Civil War Site Preservation Fund to preserve Civil War battlefields. Code of Virginia, Title 10.1, Chapter 22.

The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Natural Resources. The department was formerly contained in the Department of Conservation and Historic Resources (now named the Department of Conservation and Recreation). Regulations are available at the department's principal office at 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221. Internet address: http://dhr.virginia.gov/ or through the Legislative Information System, http://leg1.state.va.us/ and the Regulatory Town Hall, http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/

Rev. 8/2012