ACHP Announces Draft Program Comment on Accessible, Climate Resilient, Connected Communities

Last week the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announced they are developing a Program Comment on Accessible, Climate Resilient, Connected Communities. The draft program comment builds on two policy statements adopted by the ACHP in 2023, the Housing and Historic Preservation Policy Statement and the Climate Change and Historic Preservation Policy Statement. The proposal aims to accelerate historic preservation reviews by providing an alternative path for federal agencies to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) on a broad range of federal projects including housing, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, and climate friendly transportation projects.

Section 106 of the NHPA requires that federal agencies take into account how proposed actions affect historic resources and seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse affects, but does not dictate an outcome. A program comment is one of five types of program alternatives available in Section 106 regulations that allows the ACHP to comment on certain categories of federal undertakings instead of commenting on a case by case basis.

The program comment would apply to all agencies proposing to carry out, permit, license, fund, assist, or approve covered federal undertakings and would have a far larger reach and apply more broadly than any program-specific or agency-specific program alternatives developed in the past. The ACHP's program comment was cited in a fact sheet from the Biden Administration in some of the ways they are taking action to build more affordable housing.

If finalized this proposal would exempt several activities from further Section 106 review and could have a major impact on how historic preservation reviews are applied to a large range of federal projects and undertakings. The ACHP is accepting questions and written feedback from the public through Oct. 9th and will be holding two consultation meetings in September. We encourage everyone to review the proposed program comment, provide feedback and participate in the process. Preservation Action will be reviewing and plans to provide written comments. Stay tuned for more!

President Biden Establishes Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Today, during the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, President Biden established the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, IL. The new monument was the site of race riots in 1908 where white mobs killed at least six Black Americans and burned several Black businesses and homes. The riot exemplified the racial tensions in America at the time and helped lead to the establishment of the NAACP the following year.

The designation will protect 1.57 acres of federal land in Springfield, which will be managed by the National Park Service and contains historic objects that help tell this important story. A special resource study was recently completed of the site which found that it met the criteria for designation, but legislation in Congress to establish the National Monument had been stalled.

The designation marks the President's 6th National Monument established under the Antiquities Act and the 2nd National Monument helping to protect sites related to Civil Rights history, following the designation of the Emmitt Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois last year.

Get your tickets for Preservation Action Foundation’s Annual Auction and Fundraiser! Our annual event returns on Oct. 28th from 7:00pm-9:30pm during the 2024 PastForward Conference in New Orleans. Join us immediately following the conference’s opening reception just three blocks away at the historic BK House and Gardens – think of us as the after-party!

Bid on exciting tours and experiences, travel packages, educational opportunities and unique gift items, all in support of expanding grassroots preservation advocacy through education and outreach. Let’s celebrate Preservation Action’s 50th anniversary in style with delicious food, drinks, live music, gathering with friends old and new, and, of course, a lively auction right in the heart of the French Quarter.

Join us for our largest and most important fundraiser of the year as we help kick-off PastForward 2024! Don't miss out, early-bird pricing ends September 26th!

Donation and Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Donate an auction item! You and your organization are invited to donate travel packages, tours and experiences, educational opportunities or other unique gift items to our in-person live auction or online silent auction! This is a great opportunity to feature your organization, historic site, or community to a large national audience of people who are passionate about saving places. Check out our Auction donation request packet to learn more and complete the online form to submit your donation directly.

We also currently have sponsorship opportunities available. Benefits include prominent exposure throughout the event and tickets to the auction. Check out our Auction sponsorship packet to learn more!

Help us celebrate 50 years of Preservation Action by joining or renewing your membership during our Summer Membership Drive! Annual membership is what powers our efforts to advocate for the critical preservation programs and policies that we depend on. If you rely on the information provided every week in the Legislative Update or our Action Alerts that help you communicate more effectively and easily with your members of Congress, please join or renew your membership TODAY! 

In addition to our weekly Legislative Update, Action Alerts, and Quarterly Newsletters, members receive:



• Invitations to Preservation Action events throughout the year- including member-only tours planned during the PastForward Conference in New Orleans and National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in Washington, D.C.
• Exclusive this year, new or renewing members who join in July or August will receive a special 50th anniversary enamel pin!

Don't miss out, our membership drive ends Aug. 30th. Join or renew your membership TODAY!

PlaceEconomics: "The YIMBY Movement: Historic Preservation's Response"

Planetizen: "Good as New: The Vital Role of Preservation in Solving the Housing Crisis"

Kentucky: "Opinion: This City was Built on Preservation. Developers Shouldn't Throw Our Efforts Under the Bus"

Louisiana: "How a Historic Designation Would Help Residents Along the West Bank of St. John"

Alaska: "State Agency Asks Alaskans to Find, Preserve Their Local History"