PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 37
NOVEMBER 08, 2019

Save the Date: National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week Returns March 10-12!

Minnesota Deputy SHPO, Amy Spong and Preservation Action President, Russ Carnahan with Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) during Advocacy Week 2019.
Start making your plans to attend National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week 2020. Advocacy Week returns March 10-12 at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC. This is our annual opportunity to have a mass impact on policy makers in Washington in support of critically important historic preservation programs and sound preservation policy.

Preservation Action and the National Conference State Historic Preservation Officers organize our industry's Advocacy Week each year, bringing over 250 preservationists to Washington, DC to promote sound federal preservation policy and programs. Together with a cohesive message in support of preservation-positive legislation we can ensure a strong future for the federal historic preservation program.

Make Your Hotel Reservations Today

Take advantage of the special $274/night rate at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar. Make your reservations by calling 1-800-546-7866 and refer to room block "NCSHPO 2020" or  visit the online portal. Th e cut-off date for this rate is  February 08, 2020.

Full event registration will be available in early January. Stay tuned for more information.

We Need Your Voice!
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Announces Early Coordination with Indian Tribes Handbook

This week, the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), Aimee Jorjani, announced the release of "Early Coordination with Indian Tribes during Pre-application Process: A Handbook", to offer guidance on how federal agencies, industry, and Indian tribes can work collaboratively and effectively prior to the submission of applications that will need to go through the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their actions on historic properties. The release of this handbook and companion e-learning course will help assist Indian Tribes and other interested parties in ensuring that projects consider potential impacts to historic resources early in the planning process.

This announcement from the ACHP is a significant step toward making sure Section 106 reviews are in-line with the Administration's directive to complete environmental reviews within two years, while ensuring that the important historic preservation protections Section 106 provides are considered. Check out the press release from the ACHP to learn more.
National Park Service Announce Fee Free Days for 2020

Mark your calendars. The National Park Service announced 5 entrance-fee free days for 2020. All 419 units of the National Park Service will be free on the following days:

● Monday, January 20 -  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
● Saturday, April 18 - First Day of  National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
● Tuesday, August 25 -  National Park Service Birthday
● Saturday, September 26 -  National Public Lands Day
● Wednesday, November 11 -  Veterans Day

Our National Park system includes incredible historic sites like national monuments, national historical parks, and national battlefields. With at least 1 National Park unit in every state, its easy to  find a park near you. The last remaining fee free day of 2019 is Monday, November 11th in recognition of Veterans Day.   Find your park today!
ACHP and HUD Recognize Bell Artspace in New Orleans  with Historic Preservation Award

Pictured L-R, Robert Stanton, Hunter Kurtz, Darin Mann, Steve Stanley, Stacey Mickelson, April Kennedy, Aimee Jorjani, and John Bravacos. Photo Credit ACHP.
The  Advisory Council for Historic Preservation  along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development recognized the  rehabilitation of the Bell Artspace in New Orleans as the recipient of the 2019 ACHP /HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation during a ceremony this week at the National Building Museum. 
The annual award recognizes developers, organizations and agencies for projects that successfully advance the goals of historic preservation while also providing affordable housing or expanded economic opportunity.

Bell Artspace is located in a former middle school campus made up of five iconic Gothic Revival buildings, which sat abandoned and deteriorating for a decade after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina, has been repurposed into 79 affordable housing units and over 2,000 square feet of community space where artists can live, work, and perform.  The project utilized numerous funding sources including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Federal Historic Tax Credit, and State Historic Credits. 

"Natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina do not have to mean the end for historic buildings like Bell Artspace campus," ACHP Chairman Aimee Jorjani said. "Through strong community support and valuable partnerships, Artspace was able to preserve the gorgeous historic architecture while creating affordable housing options for the creative sector."

Preservation Action
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #313
Washington, DC 20006
p. 202-463-0970


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.