54 U.S.C. § 302503 — Requirements for certification

(a) With an approved State^* program. A local government^* can be certified under this section if the State Historic Preservation^* Officer and the Secretary^* both certify that it: (1) enforces the right State or local law to designate and protect historic property^*; (2) has set up an adequate, qualified historic preservation review commission^* through State or local law; (3) keeps a system^* that surveys and inventories historic property, in line with the purposes of chapter 3023; (4) allows real public participation in its local preservation^* program, including recommending properties for National Register^* nominations; and (5) satisfactorily carries out the responsibilities it has been given under this division.

(b) Without an approved State program. If there is no State program approved under sections 302301 and 302302 of this title, the Secretary can certify a local government directly, if the Secretary decides it meets the requirements in subsection (a). The Secretary may then give grants to that certified local government^* for the purposes of this subdivision.