Section 15. Identification Of Cultural Properties

The CPRC is charged with the responsibility to identify and prepare a list of cultural properties worthy of protection pursuant to Section 18-6-5. A. Surveys. Surveys are the first step to be taken in the registration process to identify cultural properties and gather sufficient information about them to determine whether the property may be eligible for registration and listing. Consult the SHPO prior to conducting any field studies or survey to gather information on the property and the appropriate boundary for area making up the property. Complete historic cultural property inventory (HCPI) forms for historic structures and buildings or laboratory of anthropology (LA) site records for archaeological sites to supplement the nomination for each contributing property. The applicant is encouraged to prepare forms for noncontributing properties. Other standard forms may be substituted for the HCPI forms with prior approval by the SHPO. B. To assist the CPRC in fulfilling its responsibilities and the SHPO’s own responsibilities to survey and inventory historic properties under Section 16 U.S.C. 470a(b) of the National Historic Preservation Act, the SHPO establishes priorities for surveys to identify and document cultural properties in New Mexico, to determine which properties are eligible for listing in the state or national registers, and to prepare nominations for listing in the state or national registers. The SHPO establishes a system of professional surveys on state land in cooperation with the heads of state agencies pursuant to Section 18-6A-5 and may fund surveys under Section 18-6-8. Standards for survey are described in 4.10.15 NMAC. C. The SHPO reviews the information gathered during these and other surveys and inventories to make a determination of state and national register eligibility and maintains a record of these determinations

l surveys on state land in cooperation with the heads of state agencies pursuant to Section 18-6A-5 and may fund surveys under Section 18-6-8. Standards for survey are described in 4.10.15 NMAC. C. The SHPO reviews the information gathered during these and other surveys and inventories to make a determination of state and national register eligibility and maintains a record of these determinations. A determination of eligibility is a decision by the SHPO or CPRC that a structure, site, place, or object meets the state register significance criteria for registration although the property is not formally listed in the state register. A determination of eligibility does not make the property eligible for such benefits as grants, loans or tax incentives that have listing in the state register as a prerequisite. 4.10.18 NMAC 8 D. State agencies, political subdivisions of the state or the public may ask the SHPO to apply the criteria in 4.10.18.11 NMAC and make a determination of state register eligibility.