The Montana State Historical Preservation Office protects Montana's significant historic buildings, sites, and archaeological properties. It operates according to the requirements of the National Park Service (NPS). The program conducts historic preservation regulatory functions required by federal and state law and many localities and which parallel environmental review requirements. All federal agencies must protect historic and archaeological sites, both in assisting and permitting projects and in managing federal lands. Staff must assess impacts on significant historic resources and negotiate the mitigation of adverse effects caused by construction, land management practices or building maintenance. Private interests vs. community interests, conflict between state and federal priorities and other sensitive factors associated with these decisions must be balanced.