Saving Our Past: Alaska's Historic Preservation Plan

 Goal 1: Increase public awareness of the value and importance of Alaska's archaeological and historic resources. Objectives: Seek to have the Governor of Alaska establish a Blue Ribbon Task Force to outline a viable, coordinated, preservation education outreach program. Use Alaska Archaeology Month and Preservation Week to increase the visibility of historic preservation. Encourage interpretation of archaeological and historic sites to educate the public. Support the development of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary programs that teach about Alaska's archaeological and historic resources. Improve awareness of and access to historic preservation information. Encourage accuracy of information about local historic places and archaeological sites.

 Goal 2: Form new partnerships to expand and strengthen the historic preservation community. Objectives: Support and strengthen local historic preservation efforts. Encourage Alaska Natives to identify concerns and develop strategies to protect their cultural resources. Encourage nonprofit statewide organizations, among them the Alaska Anthropological Association, Alaska Association for Historic Preservation, Alaska Historical Society, Keepers of the Treasures - Alaska, and Museums Alaska, to promote historic preservation. Foster stewardship of cultural resources by land owners, private individuals and groups, and public agencies. Use emerging technologies to improve communication among organizations and individuals interested in historic preservation.

 Goal 3: Strengthen efforts to identify, study, designate, interpret, and protect or treat significant archaeological and historic resources. Objectives: Conduct archaeological and historic surveys to identify and evaluate sites, buildings and structures. Encourage communities to conduct surveys, document, interpret, and protect or treat historic and archaeological properties. Document properties for the National Register of Historic Places to promote recognition of resources. Improve statewide inventory of cultural resources sites. Support and strengthen the professional preservation community.

 Goal 4: Encourage consideration of archaeological and historic resources in the planning and decision making processes of the public and private sectors. Objectives: Review development projects to assure all reasonable steps are taken to protect cultural resources. Review emergency response laws and plans so that cultural resources receive maximum protection in the event of a disaster. Promote local preservation program efforts to maintain and enhance a community's character. Promote incorporation of preservation issues in plans.

 Goal 5: Provide incentives to encourage historic preservation. Objectives: Promote historic preservation as a successful economic development tool to maintain, enhance, and revitalize communities and to promote tourism. Seek funding for the state revolving fund to assist with preservation of historic properties. Support efforts to establish tax incentives at local and national levels for preservation of archaeological and historic properties. Encourage establishment of incentive programs in the private and non-profit communities. Endorse special initiatives of agencies at local, state, and national levels for historic resources.

 Goal 6: Encourage appropriate treatment of historic resources. Objectives: Promote the use of The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. Increase familiarity with building and safety codes with respect to historic properties. Make available technical information and assistance on caring for historic and archaeological properties. Promote the use of conservation easements.