Proposed Rule Changes Threaten National Register of Historic Places Nominations.
TAKE ACTION! Submit Comments on the Proposed Rule Changes to the National Register by April 30th
Preservation Action is highly concerned with
proposed revisions to the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed rule changes would substantially impact how historic resources are nominated to the National Register of Historic Places and determined eligible. While the stated intent is to bring regulations current with recent amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the proposed revisions clearly go far beyond that purpose and are inconsistent with the language in and intent of the NHPA.
The National Park Service is seeking public comment and we need your voice!
Submit your comments in opposition to the proposed rule changes by
April 30th.
Preservation Action made it easy for you to take action. Check out our Action Alert for talking points, a sample letter, and one-pager to assist you in your comments.
Bipartisan Senators Introduce Legislation to Fully Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Last week a bipartisan group of Senators introduced legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This important program preserves and protects public lands across the country, including numerous cultural and historic sites. The legislation was introduced by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Richard Burr (R-NC) and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The LWCF is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenue and is currently authorized up to $900 million, but the appropriations for the program are usually significantly less. Earlier this year Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which permanently reauthorized the LWCF. While this was a very important first step, the program is still subject to the appropriations process every year. The Act would permanently fund the LWCF at $900 million annually.
Senate Confirms David Bernhardt to be the Next Secretary of the Interior
Then, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Interior, David Bernhardt, speaking during Preservation Advocacy Week 2017.
Last week the Senate voted 56-41 to confirm current Acting Secretary David Bernhardt to be the next Interior Secretary. The vote was mainly along party lines, with most democrats opposed to his nomination. Secretary Bernhardt takes over for former Secretary Ryan Zinke who resigned at the beginning of the year. Bernhardt previously served as Deputy Secretary in the Trump administration and served as solicitor in the Bush Administration. He also previously worked as a lawyer and lobbyist for the fossil fuel industry. Bernhardt is from Colorado, continuing the tradition of the secretary being from the west.
Several programs important to preservationists fall under the purview of the Department of Interior, including the Historic Preservation Fund, Land and Water Conservation Fund and historic sites and monuments across the country. During the Senate committee hearing several members of the committee raised questions for Secretary Bernhardt about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and efforts to address the deferred maintenance backlog at the National Park Service.
Thank You for Another Successful National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week!
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) alongside Preservation Action President, Russ Carnahan and Frank Butterfield with Landmarks Illinois at the Champions of Historic Preservation reception during Advocacy Week.
Preservation Action along with our partners at the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers just concluded another great National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in Washington, DC last week. We were joined by nearly 200 participants, representing 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Thank you to everyone that helped make Advocacy Week 2019 a huge success.
As preservationists return to the their home states as Hill veterans, remember to follow-up from your congressional visits. Perhaps you can send a personalized thank you note and invite members and staff to tour a historic tax credit project in-district.
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.
TAKE ACTION! Submit Comments on the Proposed Rule Changes to the National Register by April 30th
