West Virginia Review and Compliance Program

The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is dedicated to preserving and protecting our state’s important cultural resources. One way we achieve this is by working with government agencies as projects are developed. When a project requires a government license or permit or makes use of government money, federal and state laws require that the project be sent to the SHPO for review. Once submitted, the SHPO staff determines how that project will affect West Virginia’s historic resources and provides comments to the government agency. After the SHPO receives a project for review, the office has 30 days to comment on the project’s effects to historic resources. These laws DO NOT apply to private owners of historic properties who are planning alterations to their property unless they are receiving state or federal funds, permits or licenses for the property, or are applying for a state or federal income tax credit.

As it reviews the effects of projects on West Virginia’s vast array of historic resources, the SHPO works with state and federal agencies, city and county governments, organizations, societies and individuals. The SHPO also strives to maintain a balance between project needs and historic preservation concerns.

If you need to submit a project for SHPO review (initiate the Section 106 Process), click here for a list of items to include.

If you would like to see a flow chart of the Section 106 Process, click here.

What West Virginia’s Review and Compliance Program CAN and CANNOT do:

  • It CAN ensure that important historic resources are not randomly destroyed by government funded, permitted or licensed activities
  • It CAN help West Virginians make a difference in how a project is completed
  • It CAN broaden our understanding of West Virginia’s historic resources
  • It CAN provide a means to make a project better
  • It CANNOT stop project development
  • It CANNOT issue permits or clearances for project development
  • It CANNOT force a government agency to preserve an historic resource

For information about the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other federal laws and regulations regarding historic properties, visit the website of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at www.achp.gov.

Links:

Starting 9/16/24, all new incoming Section 106 Review & Compliance requests must be submitted via our online portal GOapply or they will be returned.  Only GOapply requests will be accepted.

Click Here for the GOapply Online Application Portal. Create a Login and get started. Make sure to read all the information in our WV SHPO GOapply User Guide.

New! Starting 9/9/24, all new GOapply organization accounts and users joining an organization account need to be verified by our office. We will review during normal work hours M-F, 9am to 5pm.  Once complete and your account is active, we will send you an email.  We apologize for the inconvenience. 

GOapply individual accounts will continue to be automatically approved and ready for use.

If you experience issues with the portal, please contact GOapply coordinator, Susan K. Wood, by email at susan.k.wood@wv.gov.