2002 News
Justification Review: Merger of DHR with Division of Cultural Affairs:
Justification Review: Two Department of State Divisions Would Benefit Through Coordination and Grants Streamlining
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/cultaff/r02-68s.html
The State Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability is considering a merger of the Department of State's Division of Cultural Affairs and Division of Historical Resources into a single agency. According to the OPPAGA web site:
The programs of the Divisions of Cultural Affairs and Historical Resources preserve and promote Florida cultural and historical resources. The programs are appropriately placed within the Department of State, but there would be benefits to merging the two divisions. The department would improve cultural affairs and historical resources programs by streamlining the grants process and using a more coordinated approach when planning cultural and historical resources development. This would enhance responsiveness to local resource development needs and leverage support for economic development and tourism initiatives. Additional efforts are also needed to ensure preservation and protection of state-owned historic properties.
The above link will take you to the OPPAGA web site and from there you can download the full report justifying this merger.
ETDM Draft for Review
The SHPO's draft operating agreement for the FDOT's Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) Process is available for review on-line at:
http://etdmprocess.urs-tally.com.
You should be able to provide comments on line also. To access the web site you will need the following ID and password:
UserID: etdmprocess
PassWord: etdm
It is important for FAC members to read and comment on this agreement, as the ETDM process will be the driving force behind future FDOT undertakings.
SAA's new online journal
E-tiquity is here! Please go to http://e-tiquity.saa.org to view our first issue.
Now, let me tell you a little about E-tiquity. It is a peer-reviewed, irregular serial provided free to both SAA members and non-members through SAAweb.
Each issue will contain a single scholarly contribution. The series' highly flexible digital format encourages innovative presentation of archaeological data and interpretations.
E-tiquity is not intended to be an electronic version of a print publication, but a venue for archaeological scholarship that is difficult to disseminate in traditional hardcopy formats. SAA sponsorship insures that this online resource will remain "in print" for future generations. And E-tiquity's online availability makes it easily accessible by students, the public, and archaeologists worldwide.
The first publication is "Ground-penetrating Radar (GPR) Mapping as a Method for Planning Excavation Strategies, Petra, Jordan" by Larry Conyers, Eileen Ernenwein, and Leigh-Ann Bedal. It features a wealth of full-color photos, in a format designed for both rapid perusal and in-depth examination.
Is this what Guttenberg had in mind? Let us know what you think. E-tiquity is actively seeking submissions. For more information, contact etiquity@saa.org.
Amendments to Rule Chapter 1A-46, F.A.C.
Changes to Rule Chapter 1A-46, Florida Administrative Code, were certified with the Bureau of Administrative Code on August 1, 2002 and became effective on August 21. The changes were made to provide specific guidelines concerning the identification and assessment of underwater and historic resources. The revised rule also incorporates by reference the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (Federal Register Vol. 48, No. 190, 44716-44742) and the National Park Service Procedures for Approved State and Local Historic Preservation Programs, Appendix A, Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR, Part 61).
According to a memo from Florida Division of Historical Resources Director Jan Matthews, reports authored after August 21, 2002 will be reviewed in accordance with the new rule. However, in order to allow reasonable time for consultants to revise standard operating procedures, the Division will accept reports that are sufficient according to the old rule until September 30, 2002. All reports will be expected to comply with the new rule beginning on October 1, 2002. A link to the new rule is available at the Division’s web site (http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/bhp/compliance). Also available are the updated Completeness and Sufficiency checklists that are based on the new rule. If you have any questions regarding the new rule, please contact Mary Beth Fitts, Historic Sites Specialist, at mbfitts@mail.dos.state.fl.us or 850-245-6333.
Thinking about Significance Workshop Proceedings
The proceedings from last year’s "Thinking About Significance" professional development workshop have been finalized and are ready for publication. The 246-page document contains 13 papers on various aspects of archaeological significance, transcripts of comments and discussions between workshop participants, and an appendix of summaries of state and federal laws and regulations. As part of our grant agreement, the draft manuscript was submitted to the Florida Division of Historical Resources Grants Administration staff in May and was favorably reviewed. This was the final step before submitting the manuscript to the printer. The proceedings should be available for distribution to FAC members sometime in early August. All FAC members will receive one free copy. Additional copies are available at a prepublication discount of $13.50 plus postage and handling ($2.50 for 1st book, $.50 for each additional book). The discount is available until August 1. After that date the price will be $15.00. If you are interested in purchasing extra copies, or if you are not an FAC member, print out and complete the attached order form and send with your payment to: Robert Austin, P.O. Box 2818, Riverview, FL 33568.
FAC Letter Concerning Deadhead Logging in Newnans Lake
Reconstructed Apalachee Buildings Condemned at San Luis
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/3086025.htm
Dear Preservation Leaders,
Since the research and reconstructions at Mission San Luis are of statewide importance, I am forwarding this article regarding closing of the three reconstructed Apalachee buildings. However, public education and interpretation at Mission San Luis continues, and preparations are in progress for the May opening of the new interpretive exhibits center at the Messer House.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to Florida's important preservation programs,
Jan Matthews.
Archaeological Sites Exempt from Sunshine Law
Effective January 1, 2002:
267.135 Location of archaeological sites.—Any information identifying the location of archaeological sites contained in site files or other records maintained by the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State is exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a) of Art. I of the State Constitution, if the Division of Historical Resources finds that disclosure of such information will create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction at such sites. This section is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and expires on October 2, 2006, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2001-162.
267.14 Legislative intent.—It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state to preserve archaeological sites and objects of antiquity for the public benefit and to limit exploration, excavation, and collection of such matters to qualified persons and educational institutions possessing the requisite skills and purpose to add to the general store of knowledge concerning history, archaeology, and anthropology. It is further declared to be the public policy of the state that field investigation activities on privately owned lands should be discouraged except in accordance with both the provisions and spirit of ss. 267.11-267.14; and persons having knowledge of the location of archaeological sites are encouraged to communicate such information to the division.