PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 29
AUGUST 30, 2019

Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Auction Returns October 10th. Early Bird Prices End Sunday, Sept. 1st!


Take advantage of the best prices and get your tickets by September 1st! Join us in the Gallery of Denver's Union Station for Preservation Action Foundation's Legendary Party and Live Auction on October 10th, immediately following the opening reception of PastForward 2019. The annual auction has long been a highlight for the Preservation Action Foundation and of the National Preservation Conference. 

Built in 1881, Union Station is a landmark of the Bonanza Years of Railroads in Colorado. Sip complimentary wine, Colorado beers, and specialty cocktails while enjoying a Southwest-style buffet. Greet old preservation friends and meet new ones at the reception preceding the Preservation Action Foundation's legendary live auction.

Early Bird Prices End on Sunday, September 1st!


This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event are used to assist the education and training, advocacy, and programs of the Preservation Action Foundation.

Donate an Auction Item

Help support the auction, donate an auction item today.  We are currently seeking donations like hotel stays, tours of historic sites, tickets to special events and conferences, and other unique experiences. This is a great way to highlight your organization and your city/state to an active and interested group of people. Interested in donating an auction item? Check out our Auction donation packet for more information!

National Park Service Announces $5 Million in HPF Grants to Support Preservation in Rural Communities

This week the National Park Service announced $5 million in Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program grants to support preservation projects in rural communities. This marks the first round of funding for the program that was established as part of the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in 2018. This important new program supports the rehabilitation of historic properties of national, state, and local significance and fosters economic development in rural communities. This year's grants will support 9 projects in 9 states across the country, including restoring historic theaters in Oregon, rehabilitating commercial structures in Louisiana, and supporting community resources in communities across Vermont, just name a few. An additional $5 million in funding will become available in early 2020. 

"Historic preservation projects have consistently proven to foster economic growth," National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith said. "Through the support of the National Park Service, rural communities are able to preserve their historic resources, shining a light on their unique local history, and bolster economic development."

The Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (HRSP) was authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who as a member of the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee pushed for inclusion of the program in the HPF. Funding for HRSP was included in FY18 appropriations, FY19 appropriations, and in the House passed FY20 Interior Appropriations Bill. Preservation Action advocated for the program during Advocacy Week and as part of our testimony to the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. We greatly appreciate the work of Sen. Leahy in championing this important program. 
New Poll Shows Overwhelming Majority of Americans Want Congress to Fix Our National Parks

Desert View Watchtower in Grand Canyon National Park
A new poll from the Pew Charitable Trust, shows that 8 out of 10 Americans want Congress to address the deferred maintenance backlog in our National Parks. According to the poll, 82% of Americans want Congress to pass the Restore Our Parks Act (H.R 1225, S.500) currently pending in the House and Senate. That number is even higher than a similar poll in 2018 that showed support from 76% of Americans. The deferred maintenance backlog stands at nearly $12 billion, an estimated 40% of which is attributed to historic resources. The same poll also found that nearly two-thirds of voters believe the National Park Service lacks adequate funds to maintain its sites.

The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee in July and now moves to the full House for consideration. The bill enjoys strong, bipartisan support and is currently up to an unprecedented 306 cosponsors. Similar Senate legislation is awaiting action in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is up to 40 bipartisan cosponsors. 

Urge your members to address the deferred maintenance in our National Parks by supporting H.R 1225 and S. 500. Take action today!

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.