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Title 54 — National Park Service and Related ProgramsRelease 119-73

§302503 Requirements for certification

Title 54 › Subtitle Subtitle III— - National Preservation Programs › Chapter CHAPTER 3025— - CERTIFICATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS › § 302503

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A local government can be certified to take part if the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Secretary agree it meets five basic rules: it enforces laws that protect historic places, has a qualified local preservation review board, keeps a survey and inventory system that supports chapter 3023, allows public input (including nominations to the National Register), and properly carries out delegated duties. If there is no State program approved under sections 302301 and 302302, the Secretary can directly certify a local government that meets those five requirements. The Secretary may also give grants to such certified local governments for this program.

Full Legal Text

Title 54, §302503

National Park Service and Related Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Any local government shall be certified to participate under this section if the applicable State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Secretary, certify that the local government—
(1)enforces appropriate State or local legislation for the designation and protection of historic property;
(2)has established an adequate and qualified historic preservation review commission by State or local legislation;
(3)maintains a system for the survey and inventory of historic property that furthers the purposes of chapter 3023;
(4)provides for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation program, including the process of recommending properties for nomination to the National Register; and
(5)satisfactorily performs the responsibilities delegated to it under this division.
(b)Where there is no State program approved under section 302301 and 302302 of this title, a local government may be certified by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the local government meets the requirements of subsection (a). The Secretary may make grants to the local government certified under this subsection for purposes of this subdivision.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30250316 U.S.C. 470a(c)(1) (2d, last sentences).Pub. L. 89–665, title I, § 101(c)(1) (2d, last sentences), Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 915; Pub. L. 91–383, § 11, as added Pub. L. 94–458, § 2, Oct. 7, 1976, 90 Stat. 1942; Pub. L. 93–54, § 1(d), July 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 139; Pub. L. 96–205, title VI, § 608(a)(1), (2), Mar. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 92; Pub. L. 96–515, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2991. In subsection (b), the words “State program approved under section 302302 of this title” are substituted for “approved State program” for clarity.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

54 U.S.C. § 302503

Title 54 — National Park Service and Related Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73