Preservation Action Host a Virtual Preservation Month Congressional Briefing on Preservation's Role in Recovery
This week Preservation Action, along with the Historic Preservation Congressional Caucus hosted a virtual Preservation Month Briefing on Historic Preservation's Role in Recovery. Thank you to everyone that attended this important briefing. As Congress continues to look for ways to stimulate the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic impact, historic preservation is a proven tool that spurs community revitalization, creates jobs, promotes heritage tourism, and supports local economies all while preserving historic resources for future generations. We hope you found the briefing to be timely and engaging.
If you were unable to attend the webinar or you'd like to watch it again, check out the recording below. The handouts are available for download here.
Take Action
Urge your Representatives and Senators to support historic preservation programs that help to stimulate the economy as part of future coronavirus relief and recovery efforts.
Senate Expected to Consider Great American American Outdoors Act Next Month
When the Senate returns from their Memorial Day recess in June, they are expected to consider the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422). This bill would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and address the deferred maintenance backlog at the National Park Service. Senate Majority Mitch McConnell (R-KY), made the announcement on Thursday after striking a deal with Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) who has championed the legislation.
This Great American Outdoors Act combines the provisions of the Restore Our Parks Act and the legislation to fully fund for the LWCF. The bill would fully fund the LWCF at $900 million and provide up to $9.5 billion in dedicated funding to address the National Parks Service's deferred maintenance backlog. 43% of the backlog is attributed to historic assets. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the legislation in March after President Trump announced his support for both policy goals.
Earlier this month, more than 850 organizations and businesses signed on to a letter calling on Congress to support the Great American Outdoors Act amid efforts to stimulate the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Preservation Action, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and others also included this important bill in our request to Congress to support historic preservation priorities in future stimulus legislation.
Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the Great American Outdoors Act today!
National Park Service Announces American Battlefield Protection Grants
The National Park Service announced $3 million in grants for the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP). The grants will support 18 projects in 11 states, including $573,000 to acquire two tracts of land adjacent to the iconic Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania, and $104,000 for planning on the Revolutionary War Fort Lee Historic Park in New Jersey, just to name a few.
"ABPP grants create partnerships among state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to act quickly and proactively to preserve and protect nationally significant battlefields, such as Gettysburg," said National Park Service Acting Director David Vela.
The American Battlefield Protection Program promotes the preservation of significant historic battlefields associated with wars on American soil and is largely funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
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.
