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Environmental Review

Consulting on Environmental and Historic Resource Projects

Guidance for Historic Property Owners, Government Agencies, and Private Citizens

Every year, thousands of projects affect historic properties in Virginia. Many projects are initiated by, or require permits or licenses from, government agencies. Both state and federal statutes require the agency or persons—often a government agency, sometimes private owners—responsible for the project to consult with the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) on how the project will affect Virginia's cultural resources.

This section attempts to clarify the review process and to help both private and public participants. At the outset, several principles should be kept in mind:

  • Private owners of historic properties who are planning alterations to their property are not required to submit projects for review by DHR, unless they are receiving state funds, or federal funds, permits or licenses for the property improvements, or are applying to the historic rehabilitation tax credit program.

     
  • The department is responsible for working with public and private agencies to evaluate historic properties and the effects of projects on Virginia's rich endowment of cultural resources. This ensures consideration of Virginia's heritage as well as the concerns of all interested parties.

     
  • Recognizing private property rights, DHR balances project needs with historic preservation concerns. The department seeks to work with historic property owners, the interested public, Indian tribes, government agencies, their contractors, and applicants for funds or permits to resolve issues related to historic preservation in a mutually agreeable way.

     
  • The government agency responsible for management or funding of the project, or for issuing related licenses or permits, must notify contractors and applicants for funds or permits of its obligation to consult with DHR, and with other participants, in the review process.  DHR is not the decision- maker, but merely an advisor. All in all, DHR review process is meant to help reconcile public and private interests involved in a given project.

     
  • For additional information on federal laws and regulations relating to historic properties, consult the Web site of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.