(1) The Legislative Assembly declares that the cultural heritage of Oregon is one of the state’s most valuable and important assets, that the public has an interest in the preservation and management of all antiquities, historic and prehistoric ruins, sites, structures, objects, districts, buildings and similar places and things for their scientific and historic information and cultural and economic value, and that the neglect, desecration and destruction of cultural sites, structures, places and objects result in an irreplaceable loss to the public.

(2) The Legislative Assembly finds that the preservation and rehabilitation of historic resources are of prime importance as a prime attraction for all visitors, that they help attract new industry by being an influence in business relocation decisions and that rehabilitation projects are labor intensive, with subsequent benefits of payroll and of energy savings, and are important to the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhoods and downtowns.

(3) It is, therefore, the purpose of this state to identify, foster, encourage and develop the preservation, management and enhancement of structures, sites and objects of cultural significance within the state in a manner conforming with, but not limited by, the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665; 54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq.). [1983 c.268 § 1; 2021 c.97 § 38]

[1953 c.475 § 1; renumbered 390.410]