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Last week the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing where they voted to advance H.R. 4141, which would completely eliminate all required review for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for development of certain broadband infrastructure.

During the hearing, the Committee's Ranking Member, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Teresa Leger-Fernandez (D-NM), spoke in opposition to the bill, citing the $65 billion provided in the infrastructure bill for rural broadband and the need to support agencies that conduct these reviews. Rep. Leger-Fernandez noted the burden placed on Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to conduct these reviews without sufficient support. She also cited how the National Historic Preservation Act (H.R. 3350) would reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund and support State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices that carry out these reviews.

While we recognize the need to expand broadband access to rural and tribal areas, it shouldn't come at the expense of key protections that safeguard our historic and cultural resources. Preservation Action opposes this harmful bill.

Despite approving several reforms earlier this summer, members of Congress are considering additional reforms to the federal permitting process, that would impact the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). During the debate to increase the debt ceiling President Biden and House Republicans agreed to several reforms to NEPA including expanding the use of categorical exclusions, and setting arbitrary page and time limits in environmental reviews. The Biden administration released a proposal implementing the NEPA changes agreed to in June, while also rolling back changes from the previous administration around the consideration of "cumulative" environmental impacts of projects, like climate change and affects on communities. House Republicans have criticized the Administration's implementation of these NEPA changes saying they undermine the agreements made as part of the debt ceiling negotiations.

Additionally, last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing aimed at possible reforms to permitting for electric transmission lines, pipelines, and energy production on federal lands. A key focus of the hearing were additional changes to NEPA that would weaken judicial review.

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and NEPA provide fundamental protections for historic, cultural, and natural resources. Preservation Action opposes reforms that aim weaken or exempt projects from these landmark protections. Their remains bipartisan interest in further reforms to the federal permitting process. Preservation Action will continue to monitor these proposals and look for opportunities to weigh in.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced their 2022 and 2023 Secretary's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for the Appleton at Spring Flat in Washington, D.C. and Commodore Place Apartments in Cleveland, OH. The annual award recognizes projects that successfully advances the goals of historic preservation, while also providing affordable housing for low and moderate-income families and individuals. An award ceremony recognizing these two outstanding projects was held at HUD headquarters.

The Appleton at Spring Flats project converted the former Hebrew Home for the Aged, which was built in 1925 but left abandoned in 2009, into 88 affordable housing units for seniors. The Commodore Place Apartments project used the federal low-income housing tax credit and historic tax credits to redevelop the apartments, which were originally constructed as a hotel in 1924, while retaining nearly 200 affordable housing units.

This year's award winners demonstrate how historic preservation can play a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis.

SAVE YOUR PLACE: Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Auction and Fundraiser Returns Nov. 8th!

Preservation Action Foundation is excited to announce Save Your Place: PAF's Annual Auction and Fundraiser will return IN-PERSON on Nov. 8th at 7:30pm during the PastForward conference.

Plan to join our party immediately following the conference’s opening reception. Bid on an array of tours and experiences, travel packages, educational opportunities, and one-of-a-kind gift items – all for the great cause of expanding grassroots preservation advocacy through education and outreach. Attendees will be provided with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, entertainment, and our celebratory program with special guest features!

Stay tuned for additional event details, donor and sponsor opportunities and ticket information to be announced next week. RSVP today and be the first to know when tickets are available!

Department of Interior: "Seven Things to Love About the Great American Outdoors Act"

National Park Service: "National Park Service Awards Over $1.2 Million to Preserve Sites of Armed Conflict"

Texas: "Heritage Preservation Grant Aimed at Preserving Historic Austin Sites"

Virginia: "Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces More Than $8.2 Million in Industrial Revitalization Funds"

Tennessee: "2023 Nashville Mayoral Candidates and Historic Preservation"