Supplemental Guidance: The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Do’s and Don’ts of Historic Preservation Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects require review for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). By using the Section 106 process, FEMA will take into account the effects of HMGP projects on historic properties. What is a historic property? Generally a structure, building, district, object or archaeological site gains the potential to become a significant historic property upon its 50th birthday; however, this is only the initial requirement. Other questions must be taken into consideration—is the property associated with historic events or persons (national or local); does the property have distinctive design or physical characteristics; could the property potentially provide important information about prehistory or history? If the answer to these questions is yes (or even maybe) FEMA applicants may wish to consider taking measures to preserve the historic structures and archaeological sites in their local communities. Owners of historic properties in a disaster-prone area have many things to consider when altering, improving, and/or repairing their properties. It can be a challenge to balance historic preservation concerns with hazard risk reduction during the repair or reconstruction of historic properties. Preservation advocates throughout the country use a set of preservation standards, referred to as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm) when formulating project designs. From these guidelines, a list of basic Do’s and Don’ts has been developed to assist FEMA applicants with preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction of historic properties while building back safer and stronger. These are as follows: DO 1. Repair/replace structural and ornamental elements as closely to the original elements as possible. Contact your local preservation organization or the Mississippi Department of Archives & History to identify a reputable architectural salvage business or to find an experienced carpenter to replicate the elements. 2. Retain and preserve as many historic materials as possible. Maintaining original components is an easy way to ensure that your home retains its historic qualities. 3. Retain the architectural style of your structure, which stands as a record of the building’s place in history. Specific information regarding local architectural styles can be found by consulting with a qualified historic architect, the Mississippi Department of Archives & History or the Pattern Book for Gulf Coast Neighborhoods” (http://mississippirenewal.com/documents/Rep_PatternBook.pdf) 4. Maintain prior architectural alterations that have acquired historic significance of their own. Regional examples might include additions that were made to original buildings years after their original construction, such as, wings, camelbacks, or porches that have been added over time. 5. Preserve any distinctive features, finishes and/or construction techniques that characterize the property. An example of this would be preserving the deep roof overhangs with exposed rafters found with Arts and Crafts-style buildings, or preserving the decorative trim work often found in Victorian-era buildings. 6. Repair historic features instead of replacing them. If it is necessary to replace historic features, document the need for replacement with photographs. 7. Utilize non-abrasive approaches to cleaning and/or resurfacing historic materials; methods such as sandblasting and pressure washing can be damaging to historic materials and should not be used. 8. Ensure that any new additions or structural alterations do not destroy historic elements of the structure. New architectural components should be of comparable design, massing, size and scale of the pre-existing structure. 9. Design new additions or major alterations in a manner that, should the addition be removed in the future, the original form and structure of the historic property would remain as intact as possible. 10. Exercise caution in performing any ground-disturbing activity that may potentially affect known or unknown archaeological sites. Discoveries should be reported to MEMA who will in turn coordinate with FEMA and MDAH. DON’T 1. Alter the style of the structure by omitting or greatly modifying the architectural elements that were originally there. 2. Use contemporary building materials that are materially different from those that were originally there. 3. Add or subtract any structural or ornamental elements that will make the building appear to be of a different style or from an earlier period than it truly is. 4. Remove structural or ornamental components of the building that, while not likely to be original, have gained historic value of their own. 5. Alter any distinctive finishes, features, and construction techniques. 6. Replace distinctive historic features with materials that do not resemble the original element’s design, color, texture and/or other visual qualities, and where possible, materials. 7. Use cleaning and/or resurfacing methods that will prove destructive to the historic elements of your structure. 8. Alter the historic integrity of your home by constructing an incompatible addition and/or using inappropriate architectural elements. 9. Greatly alter the massing, size or scale of your building. 10. Ignore archeological artifacts that you may discover on your property. 2 HMGP and the Do’s and Don’ts of Historic Preservation Federal Emergency Management Agency & Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Transitional Recovery Office 220 Popps Ferry Rd. Biloxi, MS 39531 Historic Preservation Information: 337-281-5870