A draft of the new King County Historic Preservation Program (HPP) 2013-2020 Strategic Plan – which will shape the County’s preservation programs and services over the next seven years – is available online for public review and comment.

The plan provides both a framework within which to manage the county’s preservation programs and services and a blueprint for distribution of revenues in the Historical Preservation and Historical Programs Fund.  The fund comes from a $1 surcharge on document recording.

The HPP’s mission is to preserve the county’s significant historic and archaeological resources and to encourage public understanding and appreciation of these resources. Through the program, barns, bridges, archaeological sites and more are documented, evaluated, landmarked and protected for future generations.

The plan was prepared in consultation with a 15-member Citizen’s Advisory Committee appointed by King County Executive Dow Constantine, which represents heritage organizations, preservation groups, and preservation professionals from throughout the region.

The draft plan provides background and a summary of challenges facing the HPP, a description of the planning process, and proposed goals, objectives and actions for the program for the next seven years. Appended to the document are the CAC’s recommendations for distribution of Historical Preservation and Historical Programs Fund revenues.

Public comments on the draft plan and funding recommendations are invited and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2013.  The plan is available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/historic-preservation/strategic-plan.aspx.