National Historic Preservation Act Presentation 1

The most important historic preservation law in our country National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) 16 USC 470 et seq. The most important historic preservation law in our country Responsible for the largest amount of archaeological preservation work Passed as a result of widespread destruction of 1960s urban renewal programs Has many different provisions Has been amended several times Most recent major amendments 1992 Section 106 drives most archaeological work in the United States

It Expresses Our National Policy (from Preamble, NHPA) The Congress finds and declares that — (1) the spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage; (2) the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people; (3) historic properties significant to the Nation's heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency; (4) the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans;

NHPA Selected major provisions: Section 101 Section 106 Section 110 Establishes National Register of Historic Places Calls for Sec’y of the Interior to issue regulations Establishes State Historic Preservation Programs Provides for Historic Preservation grants to states and tribes Provides for Certified Local Governments Establishes Tribal Historic Preservation Programs Section 106 Requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties Section 110 Requires federal agencies to establish a historic preservation program Requires federal agencies to appoint FPOs Section 112 Professional standards Federal agencies to maintain records and databases

NHPA Selected Provisions (continued) Title II Establish and organizes the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as an independent federal agency Section 206 Authorizes U.S. participation in International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property Section 304 Confidentiality of archaeological site locations, exemption from FOIA Section 401 ICOMOS and World Heritage sites Title IV Establishes National Center for Preservation Technology and Training