Purpose
The purpose of this Performance Measure (PM) is to identify the number of significant sites with important cultural, archaelogical or historic features that are protected from development or other adverse impacts. This performance measure helps track progress toward the SNC’s goal to protect our region’s rich and diverse physical, cultural, archaeological, historical, and living resources.
Likely Project Categories
This PM would likely be applicable for projects in the following two categories:
- Acquisition
- Site Improvement/Restoration
Variations
This PM is further classified into the following variations related to site significance:
- Cultural
- Archaeological
- Historical
Guidance on Applying this PM to Your Project
This is a recommended approach to collecting data and reporting on this PM. Grantees are asked to further evaluate how these steps may best be applied to your specific project and discuss with SNC any steps or considerations that may be unique to your project.
Determination of A Significant Site
Sites that qualify are those officially designated by local, state or federal agencies, such as National Register of Historic Places, California Office of Historic Preservation, or California State Historical Landmarks for cultural and archeological sites. Sites without official designation may be included if they could qualify for protection under local, state and federal law. For these sites, grantees should be prepared to provide documentation to justify including them as significant sites.
Data Collection
For each site protected or preserved, document the designation and identify the local, state, or federal government agency making the designation. Also identify whether the site has been identified for its cultural, archaeological or, historical, benefits. For sites without formal designation, collect information that could be used to justify the determination of significance.
Reporting
Report the total number of sites protected or preserved, their significance (cultural, archaeological or historical), and the government entity that has designated the site as significant. For those sites without official designation, grantees should briefly describe how the site qualifies for cultural, archaeological or historical significance designation, and identify experts who could be used to determine whether a the site qualifies for designation.
Other
The level of effort required to identify designated significant sites should be negligible. Identifying information to show that a non-designated site qualifies or meets the criteria for government designation could require moderate effort.