A. The purposes of this Part are to promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of buildings, sites, monuments, structures, and areas of historic interest or importance through their protection, maintenance, and development as historic landmarks and their recognition as such in the history and among the traditions of the state and nation; to establish and improve property values; and, to foster the economic development of the areas affected.
B. The legislature of this state has determined that the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of this state is among the most important environmental assets of this state and furthermore that the rapid social and economic development of contemporary society threatens to destroy the remaining vestiges of this heritage, and it is thus hereby declared to be the public policy and in the public interest of this state to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation, undertaken at all levels of the government of this state and its political subdivisions, along with the private sector, to promote the use and conservation of such property for the education, inspiration, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens of this state.