The General Assembly finds that: historic properties significant to the State’s heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency; historic properties are a vital part of our community life and development and cannot be replaced if lost or destroyed; it is in the public interest to preserve the State’s heritage and enrich present and future generations with the cultural, educational, inspirational, social, and economic benefits of the past; increasing knowledge of our historic resources, establishing better means of identifying and administering them, and encouraging their preservation will assist the economic and cultural growth of the State; and the State’s heritage has been enriched by accomplishments and contributions of the State’s private preservation organizations, and their continuing activities are in the public interest.