Federal Stewardship & Funding Background Information
Reader Comment: "The damage wrought by the hurricanes to historic properties in Louisiana remains an open wound. I personally have been involved with four historic forts that have not had any FEMA funds spent on repair and reconstruction of wonderfully significant, vital, and much loved historic sites that once restored would be economic generators in their own right. At present, we do not have a responsive and willing partner in FEMA in moving any of these projects forward. We as a nation owe it to Louisiana to finish what we started and make good on our promises. As a bonus, these four major projects would provide jobs in economically distressed areas."
The federal government provides critical funding and stewardship for a number of historic preservation programs. But, federal agencies also hold the enormous responsibility to be stewards for agency historic resources. Critical directives such as Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 are the cornerstone to ensure the federal government does its part to not only preserve and protect its historic resources, but to provide the means to strengthen and maintain historic preservation programs throughout the United States.
Federal Stewardship
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act: Section 106 provides a process, not an outcome, that requires federal agencies to "take into account" the effects their decisions and their projects have on historic resources and to work with states, tribes, and local communities to seek ways to lessen the effects of those projects. The goal is not to save every historic site, but to make sure they are considered and their value is weighed against other public values. It also helps prevent governmental agencies from overlooking the rights and concerns of citizens, private property owners, local governments, and tribal governments to protect American history and the places that are valued by people and communities. Unfortunately, in practice, Section 106 is often an afterthought and historic resources are not considered until well into project planning. By this time, a considerable investment has been made by the agency which makes it costly and difficult to change course and can result in these projects becoming controversial and overly politicized. Consideration of historic resources at the earliest stages of project planning could result in plans that both meet the mission of the agency and protect significant historic resources.
Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act: Section 110 directs federal agencies to inventory and evaluate existing archeological and/or historic resources that they own and manage. The fragile legacy of these resources is at risk because, for many reasons including a lack of funding or political will. Several federal agencies do not develop plans to identify, protect and manage these significant resources.
Historic Resource Inventory: In order to provide the best protection for federal historic properties and resources, it is imperative to inventory historic resources under federal management. New technologies such as digitization of state historic resource surveys and sites on the National Register of Historic Places will provide more up-to-date historic property data to make it easier for federal agencies and the public to access this information.
Historic Preservation and Natural Disaster Relief and Preparedness: Devastating natural disasters have recently damaged historic structures and communities in the Gulf Coast and the Midwest. Natural disasters have an immediate and widespread negative effect on the culture and economy of historic communities and historic properties in those communities. Comprehensive surveys of historic resources will assist disaster recovery and incentives to repair damaged historic resources should be automatically triggered by the declaration of a disaster area.
Federal Funding
Historic Preservation Fund: Under the Department of Interior and managed by the National Park Service, the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is the nation's oldest and most comprehensive source of public funding for historic preservation. The federal structure for historic preservation activities was established by the visionary National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. It developed a cooperative federal/state program to identify, use, and protect historic resources and to be a resource for the public about our nation's irreplaceable historic and archeological resources. Unfortunately, the HPF has never been adequately funded. In fact, funding levels have remained stagnant for many years, resulting in a funding decline for these important programs. Adequate funding is imperative for the state and federal government to provide responsible stewardship for historic properties throughout the United States. HPF programs include:
State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) administer the national historic preservation program at the state level. Along with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, an independent federal agency, they are the front line in working with federal agencies to determine the impact of all federal agencies undertakings on historic resources in accordance with Section 106 of the National Preservation Act. They lead the process of listing properties and historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places and help to review projects for the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program. In Fiscal Year 2008, state and territorial historic preservation offices received $39.4 million – a fraction of what is necessary for SHPOs to efficiently carry out their important jobs.
Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) play the same function as a State Historic Preservation Officer for their tribe. The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports increased funding so THPOs can carry out quality state and federal historic preservation-related programs. Since 1996, the number of tribes participating in the THPO program has increased from 12 to 76. In FY 08, (THPOs) received $6.4 million from the HPF. The number of THPOs has increased every year, but funding has not been consistent with THPO growth. It is imperative THPOs receive increased funding to carry out their core functions.
Save America's Treasures (SAT) is a national public-private partnership to protect the country's threatened cultural treasures that document and illuminate the history and culture of the United States. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to be the principal partner with the National Park Service to plan and implement the program. Since SAT was established in 1998, the program has designated over 1,600 Official Projects and awarded over $300 million in public and private grants to the preservation of nationally significant sites and the curation of objects in every state. In FY 2008, SAT received $24.61 million, a decrease from the previous year.
Farm Bill: Earlier this year, the 2008 Farm Bill became law. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was pleased that the law includes a number of important historic preservation provisions, including for the first time: promotion, protection and preservation of rural heritage are eligible for certain rural development grants. The law also includes important historic preservation language that: makes lands with historic and archeological resources eligible for more conservation programs, extends for two years the tax incentives for conservation easement donations, and reauthorizes the Historic Barn Preservation Program. This will encourage rural communities to put into practice preservation-based sustainable projects that encourage economic development and responsible conservation activities. Full funding is critical so historic preservation related programs authorized in the Farm Bill can be properly implemented and move forward.
Preserve America: The National Trust for Historic Preservation also supports funding for other federal historic preservation programs such as Preserve America, an initiative that supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our cultural and natural heritage.
Submitted by sheryl at: March 3, 2009
Help Cottleville, Missouri save the old one room schoolhouse and grist mill built in 1800. We need to preserve these unique structures!!