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The Kentucky Heritage Council's Site Protection Program coordinates the federally mandated protection of historic properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the professional archaeology component for the agency.
Site Protection staff are responsible for reviewing thousands of projects each year that utilize federal funding or permits that have the potential to impact historic resources. The staff averages about 650 reviews a quarter and make an effort to accommodate the deadlines and special needs of partner state agencies, municipalities, developers, businesses and other constituents statewide. Staff members coordinate surveys that document many of these buildings and archaeological resources. They also work to execute Programmatic Agreements (PAs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) and other documents that streamline review with federal agencies.
KHC’s regulatory responsibilities aid a wide range of applicants – including sister agencies, city and county governments, and nonprofit organizations – by ensuring that the projects these entities propose are in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. Section 106 of this act states that "Certain individuals and organizations with demonstrated interest in the undertaking may participate as consulting parties due to the nature of their legal or economic relation to the undertaking or affected properties, or their concern with the undertaking’s effects on historic properties." Learn more about consulting parties and the role they play in providing input during project planning.
The Site Protection team also devotes time to meetings, consultations, and research efforts associated with these projects, as well as spending time to educate people about the importance of historic resources. See below for links to streamlined guidance for particular project types.
Water & Sewer (Linear) Projects
Broadband Projects
The State Historic Preservation Office is happy to work with our federal, state, and local partners. We look forward to continued conversations and the development of future agreements and processes that serve to protect significant cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth. Should you have questions or concerns please contact our Site Protection Program by emailing nicole.konkol@ky.gov.