The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is starting the process of updating the statewide historic preservation plan. This is a requirement of their Historic Preservation Fund grant from the National Park Service. More importantly, it is a way to focus on the broader goals and needs of Delaware’s preservation community for the next five years.
Producing the plan is a year-long process. Throughout, DHCA will be seeking the widest possible public comments so that they thoroughly understand the needs and desires of Delaware’s citizens for historic preservation.
• DHCA has developed an on-line survey to garner public comments on historic preservation views, desires, dislikes, and needs. This survey will be open from January through March 2012.
• DHCA will be sponsoring a series of public meetings in late February and early March 2012. They urge you to consider attending one of these meetings. You will hear more about exact times and locations as the time nears.
• In the late spring, DCHA will produce the first draft of the 2014-2018 plan and will be inviting more comments at that time.
• By mid-summer, the revised draft of the plan will be produced, and there will be a last comment period.
• The final draft will be submitted to the National Park Service for their review and comment in September 2012.
• In November 2012, DCHA will respond to any National Park Service comments and prepare the plan for final adoption by the State Review Board for Historic Preservation.
• The final plan will be submitted to the National Park Service for approval in December 2012.
• The plan will be published in January 2013 on the Division’s web site and in paper.
Right now, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs needs your help. They would like you to participate in the on-line survey, so they can get your views and comments on the current state of historic preservation in Delaware. This will help them focus their public meetings and guide them in developing a list of trends and issues that concern their constituents most. The survey takes about 15 minutes. We greatly value your help and thank you for your time.
If you have other comments or suggestions, please e-mail us at preservationplan@state.de.us.
