PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 23, NUMBER 03
JANUARY 24, 2020

Administration Issues Proposed Changes to the National Environmental Protection Act. Comments Due March 10th.

Earlier this month, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced proposed revisions to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). 

NEPA plays an important role in the federal environmental review process and is often integrated with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act reviews. NEPA regulations include consideration of federal projects impact on cultural resources. As highlighted by the Coalition for American Heritage, some of these proposed changes could harm cultural resources, citing changes that could have the potential to reduce the number of projects that require cultural resources review, and limit the assessment of project effects on cultural resources.

Preservation Action is still reviewing the proposed changes to NEPA, but we are concerned by the potential impact they could have on historic and cultural resources. CEQ is accepting comments on the proposed revisions until March 10, 2020 and is holding pubic hearings on February 11th in Denver, CO and February 25th in Washington, DC. Advocates can learn more by reviewing CEQ's fact sheet and federal register posting. Stay tuned for more.
Place Economics Releases "24 Reasons Historic Preservation is Good for Your Community"

Last week Place Economics, a Washington, DC based consulting firm known for their extensive analysis of preservation's economic impact, released "24 Reasons Historic Preservation is Goof for Your Community". The analysis is based on several recent citywide studies of Nashville, Saratoga Springs, San Antonio, Miami/Dade, Raleigh, Savannah, New York City, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles completed by the firm that examine the impact of historic preservation at the city level. The analysis does an excellent job of articulating why historic preservation is great cities and communities across the country.

Some of the reasons historic preservation is good for communities cited by the study include: historic preservation creates jobs, helps to revitalize downtowns, promotes heritage tourism, encourages walkability/bikeability, generates tax revenue, supports small businesses, and helps to maintain housing affordability, just to name a few. 

As preservationists are increasingly having to contend with false narratives surrounding historic preservation, this serves as an excellent tool for preservation advocates. Check out the complete study today!
Preservation Action Foundation Now Accepting Applications for 2020 Advocacy Scholars Program

Preservation Action Foundation's 2019 Advocacy Scholars with PAF Board Chair, Lauren McHale
The Preservation Action Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2020 Advocacy Scholars Program. This program recognizes the importance of training the next generation of preservation advocates, by inviting selected scholars to participate in National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week. Since 2014, the Advocacy Scholars program has provided dozens of students and recent graduates the opportunity to participate directly in historic preservation advocacy. 

Do you know a student or recent graduate interested in federal preservation policy and advocacy? Encourage them to apply to be a 2020 Advocacy Scholar! Selected scholars will join over 200 professionals at National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week, March 10-12, 2020, in Washington, D.C. to participate in policy briefings, join state delegations on Capitol Hill visits with elected officials, and attend key networking events. The scholarship includes complimentary Advocacy Week registration and a travel stipend. Applications are due February 5, 2020.

Registration Now Open for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week!

Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH) speaking at Advocacy Week 2019
Registration for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week is now open! Join 250 fellow preservationists, March 10th - 12th in Washington, DC, as we storm the Hill! One of the most effective ways of sharing information with Congress is through direct meetings, and Advocacy Week is our annual opportunity to have a mass impact on opinion leaders and policy makers. Together with a cohesive message in support of preservation-positive legislation we can ensure a strong future for the federal historic preservation program.  Register before February 14th to lock in the best rates.


Advocacy Week  registration  includes in-depth training, policy briefings, meetings with elected officials and white papers from an array of preservation and policy professionals. Ticketed events offer additional meetings with elected officials, their staff, and a national network of preservation advocates.

Special Kimpton Hotel Palomar $274 room rate expires on February 8th. Book   online or call  1-877-866-3070 with room block code "NCSHPO March 2020" to make reservations. 

Check out our Advocacy Week to see a preliminary agenda and learn more. Register 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.