Department of the Interior

Departmental Manual

 

Effective Date:  5/31/07

Series:  Organization

Part 145:  National Park Service

Chapter 5:  Associate Director for Cultural Resources

 

Originating Office:  National Park Service                                                                  

145 DM 5

 

5.1     Associate Director for Cultural Resources.  The Associate Director utilizes the tools of a wide range of cultural resources disciplines to enable the National Park Service to fulfill its core mission:  the protection of park resources and values.  The directorate provides leadership, expertise, and research support so that the cultural resources of our nation’s parks are unimpaired for future generations.  The responsibilities of the Directorate include:

 

          A.      Developing Servicewide and national policies and guidance and administering a broad range of statutory programs for identifying, evaluating, registering, documenting, and protecting our nation’s historic properties and archeological resources, both inside and outside the field units, and museum collections inside the field units.

 

          B.      Overseeing the advancement of NPS leadership in researching and using advanced technologies for managing cultural resources.

 

          C.      Overseeing the development of high quality resources for teachers, students of all ages, and the American public that integrate the best scholarship and creative interpretive methods to increase understanding of the nation’s history and to improve the care of America’s tangible heritage.

 

          D.      Enhancing the protection and public understanding of historic properties, archeological resources, and museum collections through effective partnerships that showcase the importance of cultural resources and invite public involvement.

 

5.2     National NAGPRA Program.  The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Program Manager reports to the Associate Director and is responsible for the following responsibilities under NAGPRA and its implementing regulations.  The program manager  prepares regulations; reviews and recommends disposition of requests for extensions of the inventory deadline; publishes notices in the Federal Register; serves as the Designated Federal Official for the NAGPRA Review Committee; in consultation with the Office of the Solicitor, provides technical assistance to the Department of Justice in implementing the trafficking provisions of NAGPRA; develops and issues guidelines, technical information, training and other programs, including providing advice and assistance to lineal descendants, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, museums, Federal agencies, and museums that receive Federal funds in meeting their responsibilities under NAGPRA and its implementing regulations; administers grants to assist Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations and museums in meeting their NAGPRA obligations; and provides staff assistance to support the civil penalty responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary.

 

5.3     The Assistant Associate Director, Park Cultural Resources Programs is responsible for the following:    

 

          A.      Archeology Office.  The office formulates and promotes policies, guidelines, and standards for and promotes the identification, evaluation, documentation, conservation, protection, interpretation, and management of archeological and ethnographic resources nationwide.  Responsibilities include providing coordination and leadership for Federal, state, tribal, and local public archeology programs; undertaking cooperative activities with other agencies and organizations; fostering positive relationships between National Park Service units and researchers, communities, tribes, and other Native American groups traditionally associated with park units; broadening public and professional access to information about the Nation’s archeological record and its history; assisting the protection and preservation of archeological resources in place; and enhancing the care of archeological collections and archives.

 

          B.      Park Museum Management Office.  The office supports the development and coordination of Servicewide policies, standards, and procedures for managing museum collections, including natural, cultural, archival, and manuscript materials.  It provides technical assistance, professional development, and educational materials on museum collections management for the National Park Service and partners.  It develops and maintains a Servicewide catalog of museum records and other statistics on museum collections.

 

          C.      Park Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Office.  The office supports the development and coordination of Servicewide policies, standards, and procedures for park historic structures and cultural landscapes.  It ensures that park structures and cultural landscapes retain their significant characteristics and values.  It supports the historic property leasing program and the park prehistoric and historic structures and cultural landscapes programs.  It develops and maintains management inventories and information systems for these resources and provides technical assistance, training, and educational materials relating to these resources for parks and partners.

 

          D.      Park History.  The office promotes excellence in park historical programs so that the National Park Service effectively integrates the best of current historical methodology and scholarship into park research, education, and planning activities.  Park History enhances connections between the National Park Service and the rest of the historical profession through cooperative agreements, joint projects, and increased attendance at conferences and meetings; and by creating continuing educational opportunities for NPS staff with colleges and universities, research institutions, and historical organizations.

 

5.4     The Assistant Associate Director, Historical Documentation Programs is responsible for the following:       

 

          A.      Historic American Building Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey (HABS/HAER/HALS) Office.  The office documents the design and construction of architecturally or historically significant structures, the engineering and industrial heritage, and the cultural landscapes of the United States.  The program provides critical baseline documentation and Geographic Information System (GIS) data for the study and ongoing stewardship of historic structures and sites and trains future historical architects, historians, and historic preservationists in the fields of architectural, engineering, and landscape documentation.

 

          B.      National Register and National Historic Landmarks Office.  The office administers the park and the administrative history programs, the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) Survey.  It provides standards, guidance and assistance to the public, and Federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.

 

5.5     The Assistant Associate Director for Heritage Preservation Assistance is responsible for the following:

 

          A.      Heritage Preservation Services Office.  The office has two main components:

 

                   (1)     Technical Preservation Services administers the historic preservation tax certification program, the historic surplus property program, the historic preservation internship training program, and provides technical assistance, training, and educational materials that support the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

 

                   (2)     Preservation Initiatives administers the American Battlefield Protection Program, the Historic Preservation Planning Program, the American Historic Landscapes Initiative, and the Tribal Historic Preservation Program.

 

          B.      Historic Preservation Grants Office.  The office administers the Historic Preservation Fund State Grants including apportionment, application policy, and procedures; State Historic Preservation office program reviews; the Certified Local Government program; and administers Tribal Historic Preservation Grants, American Battlefield Protection Program Grants, Save America’s Treasures Grants, NAGPRA Grants, and Preservation Technology and Training Grants.  Heritage Preservation Services establishes regulations, standards, and guidelines for these programs and provides technical assistance to the public, as well as Federal, state, tribal, and local agencies through web sites, publications, and training programs.

 

          C.      Federal Preservation Institute (FPI).  The FPI is a virtual academy of education and training opportunities in historic preservation that serves Federal agency personnel.  The Institute responds to the historic preservation and cultural conservation needs of all Federal agencies, provides historic preservation-related training and technical assistance to help Federal agencies fulfill their cultural resources management responsibilities that affect over one-third of the nation’s land mass.  FPI is responsible for providing education, training, and technical assistance necessary to carry out every Federal agency’s responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act; developing training programs and materials that serve multi-agency needs delivered in a variety of media, including publications and online training; and identifying instructors, programs, and materials that match the needs of the Federal workforce.

 

          D.      Heritage Areas Program Office.  The office coordinates National Park Service responsibilities relating to the creation and management of National Heritage Areas outside of the field units.  Each National Heritage Area is designated by Congress and funded through the Service budget.  Through this office, the Service provides technical expertise and training regarding heritage areas to local governments, heritage areas staff, colleges and universities, and the private sector.

 

          E.      National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT).  The national center identifies critical challenges to the preservation of our nation’s cultural heritage and seeks solutions through innovative applications of science and technology.  NCPTT sponsors research and training initiatives and serves as a clearinghouse for information about historic preservation technologies.  NCPTT also seeks to promote technology transfer to the historic preservation community by working with a wide range of partners in the National Park Service and throughout the public and private sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad.

 

5/31/07 #3743

Replaces 8/11/04 #3645