State Historic Preservation Office seeks input on Local Government Certification Program
CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (NVSHPO) is seeking input from the public about proposed changes to the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program, a federal certification for local governments with historic preservation programs that is administered by the NVSHPO.
The CLG program certifies city and county governments that create local historic preservation programs that meet certain minimum requirements, including passing an ordinance in support of preserving historic places, and creating a citizen commission for historic preservation. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) obligates SHPOs to create state requirements for certification. At present, Nevada has four CLGs: Storey County, Carson City, the City of Reno, and the City of Las Vegas.
The NVSHPO is seeking to revise requirements for Nevada local governments to encourage broader participation in the program. The revisions will relax certain requirements pertaining to local registers of historic places, review of developments on locally designated properties, and professional membership on local preservation commissions. These revisions are explained in more detail in new CLG program materials drafted by the SHPO that are available for public review and comment.
Local governments that become CLGs gain access to special competitive grants, become required consulting parties on federal projects within their jurisdiction, and benefit from dedicated training and assistance from staff at the NVSHPO. Funding to CLGs has supported projects like:
- Nominating the Newlands Historic District in Reno to the National Register of Historic Places
- Surveying historic homes in the Beverly Green neighborhood in Las Vegas, which recently became the City’s second local historic district.
- Hosting CAMPs (Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program) in Carson City and Las Vegas, an intensive preservation commission training program maintained by the NAPC (National Alliance for Preservation Commissions).
According to Nevada’s CLG Coordinator, Jim Bertolini, “Getting certified is a great way to gain access to federal preservation programs while keeping control of local preservation efforts in the hands of Nevada’s cities and counties, and their residents.”
To review materials, please view or download the items on the NVSHPO website at http://shpo.nv.gov/clg, or contact the NVSHPO for a printed copy of materials. Comments can be emailed to the CLG Coordinator for the State of Nevada, at jbertolini@shpo.nv.gov, or mailed to NVSHPO, 901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 5004, Carson City, NV 89701.