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Federal Preservation Officer
Cultural Resource Management: Policy and Regulations
Section 106 Notes
Agency and Related Links

Federal Preservation Officer

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VA policy and procedures (see below) require that each VA facility have a Cultural Resource Management Officer.

Cultural Resource Management: Policy and Regulations

Among Federal agencies, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ranks fourth in the number of historic buildings that it administers (after the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the U.S. Postal Service.) Over 70 VA Medical Centers across the country contain historic districts or individually eligible historic buildings as well as archeological resources. In addition, the VA maintains over 120 historic national cemeteries and burial sites.

The VA's official policy for management of cultural resources and compliance with Section 106 is established in VA Directive 7545: Cultural Resource Management, which is implemented in accordance with VA Handbook 7545: Cultural Resource Management Procedures. The Directive requires that each VA program and facility designate a Cultural Resource Management Officer. Each program and facility is also required to develop and implement a Historic Preservation Plan.

When complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), VA follows its regulations, Environmental Effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs Actions, (38 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26) and its Environmental Compliance Manual.

Section 106 Notes

On September 27, 2001, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chairman John Nau III conveyed ACHP's comments regarding the impending demolition of Allen Park Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan, to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Read more

VA has identified the following programs as subject to VA's cultural resource management directive. They represent the bulk of the projects subject to Section 106 review.

1. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
   1. Major Construction Projects.
   2. Minor Construction Projects.
   3. Miscellaneous and non-recurring maintenance.
   4. Leasing—all types.
   5. Land Acquisition and Disposal.
   6. Building Demolition.
   7. State Veterans Home Grant Program.
   8. Homeless Providers Grant Program.
   9. Enhanced use—asset and enterprise development.

2. NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM
   1. Major Construction Projects.
   2. Minor Construction Projects.
   3. Maintenance and Repair.
   4. State Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.

3. VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
   1. Major Construction Projects.
   2. Minor Construction Projects.
   3. Leasing.
   4. Home Loan Guaranty Program—VA properties owned by foreclosure.

Agency and Related Links

Department of Veterans Affairs home page

VA Historic Preservation Office Web page
This page provides information on the history of the VA and lists of VA's historic properties. It also includes information on VA's historic preservation requirements and policies. PowerPoint presentations are available, including a "visual tour" of VA's historic properties.

VA Virtual Museum
This site offers images, most from historic postcards, of historic VA facilities.

Updated January 10, 2007

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