.
.
Q: What is the FMSF and what does it do?
A: State and federal law mandates that an inventory of all known cultural resources (historic structures and archaeological sites) be maintained. The FMSF, within the Department of State, is the office in Florida that maintains that inventory. Generally archaeological sites or historic structures qualify for recording in the FMSF if they are at least 50 years old and if they are adequately documented. The FMSF does not make evaluations of the historical significance of sites or structures, nor does this office assess the potential impact of development projects on these irreplaceable resources. Significance evaluations are performed by the Compliance Review Section of the Bureau of Historic Preservation, in consultation with the SHPO.
Q: Can anyone use it and does it cost anything?
A: The FMSF is a public information repository for recorded archaeological sites and historical structures in Florida. It is free for public use from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. There are fees if more than 100 photocopies are made. With some limitations, FMSF staff can also assist by fax, email and phone.
Q: I have found an archaeological artifact or site. What do I do now?
A: Call the Bureau of Archaeological Research (850-245-6444) in the Division of Historical Resources. This question can have many answers and is better dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What is a "T-R-S," where do I find it, and what information does it produce?
A: Florida is divided into 36-square mile townships (North or South) and ranges (East or West), with each square mile given a section number. TRS (Township, Range, Section) is a common map reference that is used to search small areas for recorded sites. Generally, the TRS can be found in the legal description of listed properties.
Q: What is the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and how does it relate to the FMSF?
A: The NRHP is an active list of U.S. properties that have been formally determined by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to be historically significant. The FMSF is an active list of Florida's cultural resources that are over 50 years old, without regard to historical significance.
The NRHP is maintained as a federal responsibility, although Florida's Division of Historical Resources has an office (Survey and Registration Section) charged with giving technical assistance to other agencies and to private individuals who seek to have properties listed in the NRHP. Properties that are listed in the NRHP are also listed in the FMSF, and the FMSF has copies of the federal nomination forms and sometimes other information as well. However, most properties listed in the FMSF are not listed in the NRHP, because many FMSF listed properties do not meet criteria of the NRHP for historical significance and because the NRHP nomination process can be time-consuming. In the spring of 2002 there were roughly 1,100 Florida properties listed in the NRHP.
For further information and assistance relating to the NRHP program, refer to the web site maintained by the National Park Service. For information on the NRHP specific to Florida resources, visit the web site maintained by the Florida Division of Historical Resources. In addition, the Survey and Registration Section within the DHR provides technical assistance to the public on survey and registration activities.
Survey and Registration Section Administrator
(850) 245-6333, FAX (850) 245-6437
Q: What is the difference between NRHP listing and FMSF listing?
A: The NRHP is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Properties are listed there when the property has been found by a long formal process to be significant at the national level. Projects involving federal or state revenue, licensing, or permitting, must not affect sites that are listed in, or eligible for listing in, the NRHP.
The FMSF is an office within the state's Division of Historical Resources, which keeps statewide records on cultural resources and on field projects to document resources. FMSF listing means that the property should be considered in case of any project potentially impacting it is proposed.
Q. Can a building in the FMSF be demolished?
A. Yes, but a complete answer to the question may require consultation of local ordinances. The FMSF has no active role in local governmental matters like zoning or permitting decisions.
Q. Can a building be removed from the FMSF at the owner's request?
A. No. The FMSF holds public information gathered, processed, and organized partly or wholly at public expense. Granting such requests would be similar to deleting public tax records at the taxpayer's request.
Q. Does the owner of the property need to approve listing in the FMSF?
A. No, the owner is not required to approve listing. On the other hand, neither the current owner's name nor interior information on buildings is required on our recording forms.
Q. What restrictions are there on the development of my house/property if it is listed on the FMSF?
A. None. Local ordinances should be consulted for development and zoning restrictions.
Q. How do I get a house or site listed on the FMSF? What forms are needed? Where are the forms available (online, etc)?
A. Please consult with FMSF staff first, to make sure that you use the right form, that you have the manual on completing that form, and that your form is likely to be accepted. Printable source documents for these forms may be printed from the FMSF Web site.
Q. Who do I talk to about human remains that have been found?
A. First, contact your local law enforcement agency. Then, the State Archaeologist (phone 850-245-6444) should be contacted. Unmarked human remains interred less than 75 years are under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner and may be related to a crime. It is a felony under Florida Statutes Chapter 872.05 to knowingly disturb human remains or funerary items. Florida law accords equal protection to unmarked human remains encountered on public and private land. If you are planning a project that includes ground disturbance, the FMSF can assist you in determining if there are any recorded instances of unmarked human remains in your project area.
Q. How do I acquire a FMSF form?
A. Forms may be downloaded from the FMSF Web site, or requested from the FMSF office.
Q. Is Site File information available online?
A. We do not offer self-service internet searches to the general public partly due to security concerns and due to archaeological site location and building plan Sunshine Law exemptions. Cultural Resource Management professionals may be able to gain time-limited, electronic access to files through a secure, password protected application but will need to contact Site File personnel for more information.