The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic and cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register was authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is part of the national effort to identify, evaluate, and protect our architectural and archaeological resources. The program is administered by the National Park Service under the Secretary of Interior. Properties listed in the National Register include buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.

Benefits for National Register listing include the following:

1. Recognition that a property is of significance to the nation, state, or community.
2. Consideration in the planning for federally assisted projects, including review by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
3. Eligibility for certain federal tax benefits, such as the investment tax credit for rehabilitation of income-producing buildings and the charitable deductions for donation of easements.
4. Qualification for federal preservation grants when funding is available.
5. Consideration in the issuance of surface coal mining permits.

To be listed in the National Register, a property must meet the National Register criteria for evaluation. These criteris require that a property be old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and that it still look and appear as it did in the past. In addition, the property must (a) be associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past; or (b) be associated with the lives of people who were important in the past; or (c) be significant in the areas of architectural history, landscape history, or engineering; or (d) have the ability to yield information through archaeological investigation that would answer questions about our past.

National Register listing does not place obligations or restrictions on the use or disposition of an individual property. National Register listing is not the same as local historic district zoning or local landmark designation that protects listed properties with design review. Properties listed in, or eligible for, the National Register are subject to an environmental review for projects using federal funds - regardless of the amount. National Register listing does not encourage public acquisition of or access to property.

In the state of Georgia, the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) (SHPO) under the Department of Natural Resources administers the National Register program. For individual properties, a "Historic Property Information Form" is completed and submitted by an applicant. For historic areas or districts, a "Historic District Information Form" is used. Both forms are available from the HPD and the preservation planner at the Northeast Georgia RDC. Owners of properties interested in listing a historic resource in the National Register should first contact one of these agencies for further information and assistance.

Historic resources (i.e., buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts) listed in or eligible for National Register listing fall under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) as amended for environmental review if they are "federally assisted" and considered an "undertaking." An "undertaking" means a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency, including: a) those carried out by or on behalf of the agency; b) those carried out with Federal financial assistance; c) those requiring a Federal permit, license, or approval; and d) those subject to State or local regulation administered pursuant to a delegation or approval by a Federal agency. [16 U.S.C. 470w(7)]. The following statement clarifies an "undertaking":

An undertaking means any project, activity, or program that can result in changes in the character or use of historic properties, if any such historic properties are located in the area of potential effect. The project, activity, or program must be under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency or licensed or assisted by a Federal agency. Undertakings include new and continuing projects, activities, or programs and any of their elements not previously considered under Section 106. [36CFR § 800.2(o)]

Agencies, organizations, and property owners in the Northeast Georgia region that are involved in an undertaking should follow Section 106 review and contact the Preservation Planner at the Northeast Georgia RDC or the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) for further information.