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Section 106 Implications for Many Properties on the National
Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered List for 2013
Every year the National Trust for Historic Preservation (Trust) highlights the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, historic properties that the organization wants to bring to public attention out of concern that their existence or historic integrity are threatened. At least five of the places on the 2013 list released on June 19 involve Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The fact that nearly half of the endangered places noted this year have direct Section 106 implications is an indication of how pervasive and important Section 106 is to preservation of the nation’s important historic places. Read more.

New Presidential Memorandum to Speed Modernization of Electric Grid, Save Money
On June 7, 2013, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum “Transforming our Nation’s Electric Grid Through Improved Siting, Permitting, and Review” which will speed the modernization of the nation’s electric grid. This will help make electricity more reliable, save consumers money on their energy bills, and support homegrown American clean energy jobs and industries by making renewable energy easier to access across the country. Read more.

ACHP Works to Build a More Inclusive Preservation Program
The agency is offering this Web site to become a portal for groups, projects, and initiatives that support building a more inclusive preservation program for all people across the United States.

ACHP OFFERS BRIEFINGS TO SHPOs/THPOs/NHOs ON NEPA-NHPA HANDBOOK
The ACHP has invited representatives of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to participate in briefings about NEPA and NHPA: A Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106, published jointly by the ACHP and the Council on Environmental Quality in March 2013. Read how to sign up for this important briefing.

May Celebrates Historic Preservation, But Why Not Keep the Party Going?
As we close out Historic Preservation Month, join us in reading about just a few of the programs and initiatives that celebrate historic preservation!

Preserve America is a federal program that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The program’s goals include expanding knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthening regional identities and local pride, increasing public participation in preservation, and supporting the economic vitality of our communities.

Read about a few of the many programs the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service are offering:
http://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/asia/
http://www.nps.gov/history/asianpacificheritage/
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/American_Latino_Heritage/

Plan a trip to historic places! http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/

Summer School for Historic Preservationists!
The Section 106 Essentials and the Section 106 Advanced Seminar will be offered in five cities each this summer and fall. Take part in interactive classroom training without traveling a long distance! Learn from ACHP staff instructors with hands-on experience assisting a wide range of stakeholders resolve conflicts between federal agency plans and historic preservation values. Click here for the Essentials course. Click here for the Advanced seminar.

ACHP Vice Chairman to Co-Curate Historic District Exhibit
Clement Price will be co-curating an exciting new exhibition at the Newark (NJ) Public Library on Preserve America Community the James Street Commons. Read the opening event flyer and information.

Presidential Memorandum Modernizes Infrastructure Review; ACHP Assisted with Policy
On May 17, 2013, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled “Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures” which encourages the development of innovative mitigation tools to improve environmental outcomes, development of more targeted and relevant environmental reviews, provision of more opportunities for public input, and improvement in collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments. This permitting modernization effort is an important component of the President’s larger effort to grow the economy, accelerate job creation, and improve U.S. competitiveness by building a 21st Century infrastructure.  This effort will be guided by a Steering Committee established under Executive Order 13604, “Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects,” which established goals for improving federal environmental permitting and review decisions. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is a member of this Steering Committee and has developed an agency plan as required by that Executive Order which can be viewed here. For more information on the Presidential Memorandum read more here.

President Names New Member to ACHP
President Obama has announced his intention to appoint Leonard Forsman, Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, to the ACHP. Read more.

35th Anniversary Report on Federal Tax Incentives for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
Our friends at the National Park Service have released a report on the 35th anniversary of the first certified rehabilitation project,certified in 1977, under the historic tax credit program. The report features statistics, case studies, and other information on the program over the last 35 years.

The report discusses the successes of the program, both in terms of the historic buildings that have been rehabilitated throughout the nation, in communities both large and small, as well as how the program has contributed to community revitalization, job creation and other economic benefits, the reuse of such vacant or underutilized building types as manufacturing buildings and schools, energy conservation and sustainability, innovative reuse projects, disaster relief, and revitalizing Main Street. Read more.

ACHP Moving to National Building Museum
After 30 years, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will move from the Old Post Office Building (OPOB) to its new offices in the historic edifice occupied by the National Building Museum. The move is scheduled to take place in late 2013 or early 2014. Read more.

US and Spanish Government to Work Together on Historic Resources
National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis signed a memorandum of understanding with Spain on the shared Spanish-American cultural, historic and archaeological heritage in the National Park System. He noted that Spain has made and continues to make important contributions to American culture. The material heritage of the Spanish presence in the New World remains with us in 45 national park units that include significant historical, cultural, and archeological sites of Hispanic heritage. With the signing of the MOU, Spain and NPS have agreed to collaborate on projects that use NPS cultural resources to educate the public. The memorandum will provide a vehicle for cooperation between for archeologists, historians, and museum professionals in Spain and the United States to conduct joint projects. Read the MOU

Riverfront Expressway Section 106 Success Story Makes News
The case of the proposed Riverfront Expressway in New Orleans garnered attention with an editorial from ACHP Chairman Milford Wayne Donaldson. Read it here.

President’s Budget Supports Historic Preservation
In this era of austerity, the President’s budget for 2014 delivered to Capitol Hill brings welcome news to the field of historic preservation. It includes $56 million from the Historic Preservation Fund for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, a continuation of prior funding levels, and adds $3 million for a new competitive grant program for the survey and nomination of properties to the National Register and as National Historic Landmarks associated with underrepresented communities.

The President’s FY 2014 budget also includes a significant increase for the ACHP. The overall request is $6,531,000. This represents a $432,772 or 7 percent increase over the FY 2012 level, restoring the 10 percent cut for the ACHP in FY 2013 and returning authorized staffing to the FY 2012 level. The funds are being sought to bolster the ACHP’s critical role in the Section 106 process.

While the President’s budget is only the beginning of the appropriations process, the Administration’s continued support for historic preservation is a positive first step.

ACHP Praises NPS’ Latino Heritage Theme Study, Suggests Use for Teachers and Preservationists
The National Park Service has presented an important publication based on much research into Latino Heritage and the making of the United States. The ACHP supports the NPS’ goals of a more inclusive history of diverse cultures and adding more Latino-focused sites to the National Register. Read more about this groundbreaking study and how to use it for research and community preservation.
Read the press release
Nominate a Latino-focused Section 106 Success Story to the ACHP

Program Comment Issued for the Department of Energy
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) issued a Program Comment to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to extend the duration of agreements based on the DOE prototype Programmatic Agreement (PA) for its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), State Energy Program (SEP), and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). The ACHP membership voted in favor of issuing the Program Comment via an unassembled vote that concluded on March 11, 2013. Read more here.

National Register Sites Focus on Latinos
Latino peoples have played a profoundly important role in American history, contributing to and shaping the rich heritage of the United States in many ways for some 500 years. Explore their stories and their legacy by visiting the sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, throughout the nation featured in this itinerary offered by the National Park Service. The National Park Service preserves historic places and stories of America’s diverse cultural heritage and expands and maintains the National Register of Historic Places. Read more

Preserve America Celebrates a Milestone, Looks for Feedback
The Preserve America program celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 3. Now with 887 designated communities, 38 stewards, and numerous awards, millions of dollars in grants, and improved historic preservation in communities across the United States, Preserve America is a successful endeavor. This anniversary opens up the opportunity to share what has been accomplished in your communities and to see what else can be done.
Please read more and send us feedback!

ACHP and CEQ Release Handbook on Coordination of Important Federal Processes
Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the ACHP released a handbook designed to help coordinate required review processes under the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The handbook stands to significantly improve the coordination of environmental reviews across the government. This handbook provides practical advice to practitioners and stakeholders to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agencies’ environmental review.
Read the press release. 
Read the handbook. 
Read more from CEQ and the ACHP about this important guidance.

ACHP Participates in Broadband Infrastructure Working Group
The ACHP is participating as a member of the interagency Working Group, co-chaired by the Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration, to implement the requirements of Executive Order 13616, “Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment.” The E.O., issued in June 14, 2012, is intended to facilitate wired and wireless broadband infrastructure deployment on Federal lands, buildings, and right of way, federally assisted highways, and Tribal lands, particularly in underserved communities. Based upon the E.O., the acceleration of broadband is essential to the Nation’s global competitiveness in the 21st century, driving job creation, promoting innovation, and expanding markets for American businesses, and affords public safety agencies the opportunity for greater levels of effectiveness and interoperability. Because of the breadth and scope of broadband on diverse resources controlled and managed by the Federal government, the ACHP would like to share this initiative with our constituents.

In accordance with the E.O., an Interim Report was released by the Working Group on March 15, 2013, outlining the actions and recommendations that agencies should implement to meet the goals of the E.O. One of the recommendations included in this Interim Report under “Environmental Compliance” is “to improve Section 106 compliance by developing and implementing alternate procedures under Section 800.14 of the ACHP’s, regulations, “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800).” In order to implement this recommendation, the ACHP will collaborate with federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Indian tribes, and other preservation organizations in coming weeks to explore which program alternatives should be pursued to accelerate the deployment of broadband.

ACHP Business Meeting Provides Plenty of Preservation News
Members of the ACHP met March 1 to pass resolutions, discuss the 50th anniversary of the NHPA, swear in new members, and discuss plenty of historic preservation initiatives and news. Read the highlights of the business meeting.

Secretary of the Interior Presents Awards at Winter Meeting
Secretary Ken Salazar today presented the Department of the Interior’s 2012 Historic Preservation Awards and administered the oath of office to s of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Read more 

ACHP Endorses Plan to Support U.N. Declaration
At its Winter Business Meeting, ACHP members voted to endorse a plan supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, becoming the first federal agency to do this. Read more.

First Lady Designates New Communities
Michelle Obama has signed and sent letters of designation to five new Preserve America Communities. Please read more.

ACHP Weighs in on Senate Bill to Provide $60.4 billion in Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funds
The ACHP, in its role to advise Congress and the President, has offered information regarding money for the Historic Preservation Fund in ongoing negotiations for hurricane recovery funding. Please read more.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Four Cabinet Departments Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Better Protect Indian Sacred Sites
Four cabinet-level departments joined the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) today in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve the protection of Indian sacred sites. Read more.

Important New Tribal Consultation Tool Launched by HUD
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently launched its Tribal Directory Assessment Tool, an online resource for identifying which Indian tribes have an interest in each state or county in the United States. The tool, originally developed for HUD’s grant recipients, is available for all Section 106 practitioners to use at http://egis.hud.gov/tdat/Tribal.aspx. Read more.

National History Teacher of the Year 2012 Named
Joshua Bill, a history teacher from Waukegan, Illinois was named the National History Teacher of the Year Dec. 4 at a ceremony in New York City. Preserve America is a long-time partner of Gilder Lehrman in administering this prestigious award. Read more.

Native American Traditional Cultural Landscapes and the Section 106 Review Process: Questions and Answers
The ACHP has issued its Q&A for dealing with Traditional Cultural Landscapes and Section 106. Read more. 

ACHP Guidance on Reasonable and Good Faith Efforts
Read the policy issued by ACHP.

Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation Study Released
A 2011 study commissioned by the ACHP, with funding assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, identifies and analyzes methods for measuring the economic impacts of historic preservation. The report focuses on such economic indicators as jobs and household income, property values, heritage tourism, sustainable development, and downtown revitalization, and recommends ways to improve our understanding of how preservation activity supports economic vitality.
Read the full report here.
Read a brief compilation of related facts and figures here.

Section 3 Report to the President Now Available
The 2012 Report to the President on the federal government's stewardship of its historic properties is now available.Download the report.

Preserve America E-Newsletter Available
Read the latest e-newsletter with stories of new designations and activities Preserve America Communities can host for heritage tourism, and much more.

Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 New Edition Now Available
The ACHP is proud to announce it has updated and reissued Protecting Historic Properties: A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106. The Citizen’s Guide is a useful tool for learning how to protect historic places in your community.

Web-based Archaeology Guidance Now Available
Washington, D.C.—The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has developed new archaeology guidance to assist federal agencies in meeting their responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The guidance is available at: www.achp.gov/archguide. Read more.

ACHP News Archive

Section 106 Archaeology Guidance
ACHP Guidance on Program Comments as a Program Alternative
Register for the ACHP's Section 106 Course
Heritage Tourism
Economic Issues in Historic Preservation
Preserve America