this Act, and in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, shall evaluate the program to determine whether it is consistent with this Act.
“(B)Contracts. If, at any time, the Secretary determines that a major aspect of a State program is not consistent with this Act, the Secretary shall disapprove the program and suspend in whole or in part any contracts or cooperative agreements with the State and the State Historic Preservation Officer under this Act, until the program is consistent with this Act, unless the Secretary determines that the program will be made consistent with this Act within a reasonable period of time.
“(C) The Secretary, in consultation with State Historic Preservation Officers, shall establish oversight methods to ensure State program consistency and quality without imposing undue review burdens on State Historic Preservation Officers.
“(D) At the discretion of the Secretary, a State system of fiscal audit and management may be substituted for comparable Federal systems so long as the State system—
- “(i) establishes and maintains substantially similar accountability standards; and
- “(ii) provides for independent professional peer review.
The Secretary may also conduct periodic fiscal audits of State programs approved under this section as needed and shall ensure that such programs meet applicable accountability standards.”.
- (2) Amend paragraph (3) as follows:
- (A) In subparagraph (G), strike “relating to the Federal and State Historic Preservation Programs; and” and insert “in historic preservation;”.
- (B) In subparagraph (H), strike the period at the end thereof and insert a semicolon.
- (C) Add at the end thereof the following new subparagraphs—
- “(I) consult with appropriate Federal agencies in accordance with this Act on—
- “(i) Federal undertakings that may affect historic properties; and
- “(ii) the content and sufficiency of any plans developed to protect, manage, or reduce or mitigate harm to such properties; and
- “(J) advise and assist in the evaluation of proposals for rehabilitation projects that may qualify for Federal assistance.”.
- (3) Amend paragraph (5) by striking “1980” and inserting “1992”.
- (4) Add at the end thereof the following new paragraphs:
“(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the Secretary may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with a State Historic Preservation Officer for any State authorizing such Officer to assist the Secretary in carrying out one or more of the following responsibilities within that State—
- “(i) Identification and preservation of historic properties.
- “(ii) Determination of the eligibility of properties for listing on the National Register.
- “(iii) Preparation of nominations for inclusion on the National Register.
- “(iv) Maintenance of historical and archaeological data bases.
