PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 28
SEPTEMBER 07, 2018

Conference Committee Members Named for the Interior Appropriations Bill

This week congressional leaders named the conference committee members for the FY19 Interior Appropriations bill. The conference committee will reconcile the differences between the House and Senate passed versions of the bills, including the differences in funding levels for historic preservation.  The  FY19 House Interior Appropriations bill   funds the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) at $101.41 million, while the  Senate bill   funds the HPF at $91.91 million. Lawmakers have a short window to approve final appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year on September 30th.

The Historic Preservation Fund provides funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and critically important grant programs. Preservation Action is urging conference committee members to include the funding levels for the HPF approved in the House bill. The House bill funds the HPF at $101.41 million, a $4.5 million increase over FY18 enacted levels, including important increases for the Civil Rights Preservation grant program and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Preservation Grant program.

Take Action!

Are your members of Congress on the Interior Appropriations conference committee? Contact your members of congress and urge them to support the HPF funding levels approved in the House passed FY19 Interior Appropriations Bill. Explain the HPF is funded through oil and gas lease revenue, not tax payer dollars and the HPF funds the work of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and critically important grant programs that help support preservation projects across the country, including in their district/state.

David Vela Nominated to be Next National Park Service Director


President Trump Nominated David Vela to be the 19th Director of the National Park Service
Last week President Trump nominated Grand Teton National Park superintendent David Vela to be the next Director of the National Park Service. The nomination of David Vela received praise from former Park Service Directors Bob Stanton and the most recent Park Service Director, Jon Jarvis. The National Park Service has been without a permanent director since January of 2017. Currently Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith is serving as acting director and will continue in that role until David Vela is confirmed by the Senate. 

The National Park Service faces several challenges including managing record visitation and addressing the more than $11 billion deferred maintenance backlog. If confirmed, David Vela said he is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the National Park Service.

"I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke to address the NPS maintenance backlog, protect our national treasures, and serve all who come to enjoy the parks." Vela said.

Vela, a 28 year veteran of the National Park Service, started his career at the San Antonio Missions Historical Park. He''s worked in several positions in the National Park Service including Superintendent of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park, Regional Director of the NPS Southeast Region and in a senior position at the National Park Service headquarters in Washington, DC. If confirmed Vela would also be the first Hispanic NPS Director. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is expected to hold a confirmation hearing for David Vela in the near future. 
Gold Rush: Party Time! PAF Auction Returns on Nov. 14th in San Francisco. Get Your Tickets Today!
 
California Historical Society
Get your tickets today for Preservation Action Foundation's  Legendary Party and Live Auction in San Francisco. The annual after party and auction will take place on November 14, 2018 immediately following the Opening Reception of the National Preservation Conference. Enjoy the atmosphere and exhibits  at the
 
California Historical Society , located in the former San Francisco Builders Exchange building in the vibrant Yerba Buena neighborhood, just a mile from the conference headquarters.

The annual auction has long been a highlight for Preservation Action Foundation and of the National Preservation Conference. Last year's auction in Chicago was a huge success and were excited to top that this year!

Take advantage of early-bird prices! Get your tickets today!


Donate an Auction Item

This is our largest fundraiser of the year and the proceeds from this event are used to assist the education and training, advocacy, and programs of the Preservation Action Foundation.  We are currently seeking donations of auction items like hotel stays, tours of historic sites and other unique experiences. This is a great way to highlight your organization and city/state to an active and interested group of people. Download the 2018 Auction Donation Form and check out our website for more information.

Preservation Action
1307 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
p. 202-463-0970  f. 202-463-1299


Preservation Action is the only national  non-profit dedicated exclusively to lobbying for the best preservation policies at the federal level. We seek to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of government through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training.