WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) today announced free online distance learning opportunities to meet the needs of those working remotely during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
These online courses provide a unique opportunity to learn about the federal historic preservation regulations that govern how federal agencies and their grant recipients and permit holders consider the impacts of their projects on historic properties. Known as the Section 106 process established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the review requirement is an important part of the federal environmental review system and should be understood by state and local agencies, planners, developers, consultants, and anyone who works on projects that receive federal assistance or require federal permits.
The ACHP has seven free courses on its eLearning portal, including a new 60-minute course, “What Now? Protecting Historic Properties in Disaster Recovery.” The new course provides a basic introduction to the procedures under Section 106 regarding federally funded, licensed, or permitted undertakings that respond to emergency and disaster declarations.
“The ACHP provides a variety of online courses as well as classroom courses typically taught around the country by ACHP staff. In an effort to make these accessible to those working from home, the ACHP is offering various courses to assist the needs of the American people, agency staff, and others on the procedures to ensure projects associated with the pandemic response and recovery go smoothly,” Chairman Aimee Jorjani said. “We want to educate those involved. The ACHP’s regulatory framework works in good times and bad, and our procedures facilitate innovation and flexible approaches. Additional procedural guidance and FAQs are also available on the ACHP’s website.”
Online, on-demand eLearning courses of interest to applicants in the Section 106 review process and their consultants include “Early Coordination with Indian Tribes in Infrastructure Projects,” “Successfully Navigating Section 106 Review: An Orientation for Applicants,” and “Coordinating NEPA and Section 106.”
Coming in May, the ACHP also will offer a free Stay-at-Home series of four webinars to introduce decision makers, project managers, consulting parties, and others with limited experience to the main requirements of Section 106 review.
May 5 - 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and May 7 - 11 a.m. ET - What is Section 106? A blended learning Q&A
May 12 – 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and May 14 - 11 a.m. ET - Defining the Area of Potential Effect
May 19 – 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and May 21 – 11 a.m. ET - e106 and Section 106 Documentation
May 26 – 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and May 28 - 11 a.m. ET - Planning for Successful Section 106 Agreements
Find out more and register for one or all four of the webinars.