Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

010(A)). 020(A) lists its functions: advising the assembly in identifying, protecting, preserving and interpreting cultural resources of archaeological, historical, cultural, scientific or geographic importance; maintaining an inventory of those resources; recommending a local historic preservation plan compatible with the Alaska Historic Preservation Plan and updated every five to ten years; reviewing local projects that might affect listed properties; and receiving and recommending nominations for the National Register of Historic Places. 060(A) defines 'cultural resources' to include, but not be limited to, historic buildings, archaeological sites, important landmarks, historical objects, traditional use areas, cultural landscapes, structures and historic districts, and defines an 'adverse effect' as any change that may diminish a resource's ability to convey its historical or cultural importance, such as demolishing, relocating or altering a historic structure, destroying an archaeological site, or introducing intrusive elements into a historic district.

The commission's members, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly, must show expertise in fields such as architecture, history, archaeology or planning, and the borough reimburses only their mileage; the chapter gives the commission no independent authority to approve, deny or condition work on a designated cultural resource.