The United States Army is currently undergoing a significant privatization effort of lodging facilities throughout the continental United States.  This privatization effort has already occurred at 21 installations in two previous phases.  The third phase consists of 21 additional installations in 13 states and is the subject of a new prototype Programmatic Agreement (PA).

For the previous phases, a time consuming effort was undertaken to create individual PAs for each installation. The prototype PA for the third phase provides a tool that can assist in the cultural resource management of an Army installation’s historic properties associated with the privatization of Army lodging. Most importantly, the Prototype PA provides a streamlined approach to the process of developing, negotiating and implementing PAs for the installations that have historic properties impacted by this privatization effort. The prototype PA will create efficiencies by providing standardized language that will be used to create subsequent PA’s for the remaining 21 installations that will take part in the privatization of lodging.

A Prototype PA provides for consistency and predictability in cost, time, and outcomes, as well as the flexibility to address specific situations and conditions on each installation. As a result of agreement reached on the Prototype PA, following consultation on its development, subsequent consultation to develop installation-specific agreements for lodging privatization should be less rigorous and more efficient. The installation can, after appropriate consultation with stakeholders, include language in the subsequent agreements that address similar actions in multiple geographical areas.

Archeological investigations may be necessary if there is significant ground disturbance in previously undisturbed areas and would be considered during the consultation for each installation’s PA for the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) program. Cultural landscapes and/or view sheds that are impacted by any new construction will have to be taken into consideration during the consultation for each installation’s PA for the lodging privatization program.

The Army conducted multiple meetings with an internal Army working group. This group was comprised of Cultural Resource Managers from Army installations, staff members of the Army Environmental Command, and other parties within the Army historic preservation community. In addition, there have been meetings with State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, the National Park Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, federally recognized Indian tribes and ACHP staff.  The Army prototype was approved on April 5, 2012.