FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Sept. 24, 2007
CONTACT:  Jay D. Vogt, (605) 773-3458, Jay.Vogt@state.sd.us

State Historical Society seeks preservation input

PIERRE, S.D. -- The State Historic Preservation Office of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center is preparing for its federal fiscal year 2008 grant application and invites public comment through Oct. 29 on the state’s preservation needs and projects.

The office manages the National Register of Historic Places program of the National Park Service in South Dakota. The program relates historic preservation to economic, social and educational state objectives. It surveys, inventories and registers historical properties; and it promotes public awareness and provides technical assistance on their preservation.

Among the questions to consider are:  What properties or areas need to be inventoried? What properties should be considered for nomination to the national register of historic places?  What properties are at-risk or endangered? and What kinds of technical preservation assistance are beneficial? 

“Public input or responses to these questions will help the program in preparing its annual work plan,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society. “And preservation promotes economic development and cultural tourism, which are components of the 2010 Initiative.”

Please submit comments to Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Officer, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217, or fax (605) 773-6041. Write to the above address, call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org/HP/histpres.htm for an online comment form titled SHPO Annual Work Plan Suggestion Form.