PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 14
MAY 03, 2019

Thanks for Making Your Voice Heard! More Than 3,000 Comments Submitted on the Proposed Changes to the National Register

Thanks everyone for making your voice heard and submitting comments on the proposed rule changes to the National Register of Historic Places. The preservation community has spoken loud and clear, the proposed regulatory changes will have a significant negative impact on our citizens and on our communities. In total, 3,292 comments were submitted to the National Park Service, with the vast majority expressing strong concerns about the impact of these proposed changes. Preservation Action submitted our comments to the National Park Service. You can read our full comments below.


Overall, Preservation Action's advocacy alert was shared hundreds of times, had a combined reach of over 10,000 on social media and was highlighted in news articles. Thanks for your help in spreading the word! Review our Action Alert to learn more about the significant impact these proposed changes would have and if you are not already, consider becoming a member of Preservation Action as we continue to push back on these harmful proposals. 

Now the submitted comments will be reviewed by the National Park Service. Preservation Action will continue our advocacy efforts as the process continues. Stay tuned for more.
National Park Service Announces $61.3 Million in Historic Preservation Fund Grants for SHPOs and THPOs

This week the National Park Service announced $49.6 million in Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants for states and territories and $11.7 million for 183 tribes. The timely release of these funds is critical to support the important work of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (S/THPO) across the country. 

The $61.3 million in SHPO/THPO grants reflects the record level of support Congress provided last year for the Historic Preservation Fund. Preservation Action appreciates Congress's continued strong commitment to the HPF, especially as the administration has proposed extreme cuts in the last budget request.

Congress is currently determining funding levels for important programs, including the HPF. Preservation Action continues to advocate for robust funding for the HPF. During Advocacy Week, preservation advocates from across the country pushed for $141 million for the HPF, including $60 million for SHPOs and $20  million for THPOs. Check our Advocacy Week 1 pagers to learn more about our FY20 requests and urge your members of Congress to support the Historic Preservation Fund.
House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on National Heritage Area Legislation

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) speaking at the Preservation Best Reception during Advocacy Week 2017
This week the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held a hearing on 4 bills related to National Heritage Areas (NHAs). Three of those bills, H.R 642, H.R 1990, and H.R 2288, would reauthorize the Oil Region National Heritage Area, the National Aviation Heritage Area, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Another bill considered, H.R 1049, would establish a National Heritage Area Program and standardize the administration of NHAs. The bill was introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) in February and is up to 100 cosponsors in the House. There are currently 55 National Heritage Areas, which include sites of national significance across the country. NHA funding was proposed for elimination by the administration, but Congress continues to support NHAs in the appropriations process. 

During the hearing, National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith, said the administration feels NHAs should be weaned off of federal support and therefore did not support the bills before the committee. The chairwoman of the subcommittee Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) said NHAs remain beneficial to our communities and their local economies, citing that every dollar invested in National Heritage Areas leverages $5.50 in other public and private money.  

More than just the economic benefit, National Heritage Areas help to tell a more complete story of our nation's history. Preservation Action appreciates the attention given from the committee, and the continued support Congress has shown for National Heritage Areas. Check out the full hearing below.

Join Preservation Action at the Keeping History Above Water Conference Next Week


Preservation Action will host a Changing Climate Happy Hour discussion on Tuesday, May 7th in St. Augustine, FL, coinciding with the Keeping History Above Water Conference. Join Preservation Action's Changing Climate Committee at the A1A Aleworks  Restaurant and Taproom, from 530-730pm for a happy hour discussion on policy, legislation, and equipping the preservation community for a changing climate.

Preservation Action's changing climate  committee's purpose is to investigate, propose and support policy and legislation that will better enable the preservation community and historic building owners sensitively adapt their buildings and at the same time preserve the historic integrity of the buildings.

Hope you can join us! Learn more.



Preservation Action
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Washington, DC 20006
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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.