Advocacy Alert: Federal Action Threatens Historic and Cultural Places Nationwide
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is advancing a sweeping and damaging proposal to rewrite the regulations for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). If implemented, these new rules would dramatically diminish the current legal protections for historic and cultural places.
Since the enactment of NHPA 60 years ago, Section 106 has been the foundational requirement for federal agencies to consider the impacts of their actions on historic properties and places, enabling public participation and comment in the process, empowering state and local governments and Tribal communities to have a voice in the process, and often improving the project and enhancing the outcome.
IF ADOPTED, THESE CHANGES WOULD MEAN:
More historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural resources lost
Fewer opportunities for public participation
Less local input from local, state, and tribal governments
More confusion, expensive delays, and legal challenges instead of collaborative solutions
The preservation community across the country is mobilizing to fight this harmful proposal.
What does this mean for Austin?
Section 106 has been a critical tool that has allowed our community to have a seat at the table for many recent infrastructure projects in Austin, including the CapEx 1-35 expansion, Project Connect, and the MoPac expansion. Currently, the City of Austin is engaging in the Section 106 process as they advance their proposal to replace the Barton Springs Bridge. Without Section 106, the bridge may have already been demolished. Instead, the City of Austin is required to consult with interested parties, including Preservation Austin, neighborhood groups, and community members, to meaningfully consider potential alternatives to replacement.
Section 106 doesn't stop highways, bridges, broadband, clean energy, or other important projects. It helps make those projects better by encouraging smarter solutions before historic and cultural places are permanently changed.
What you can do
For more information about the proposed changes, visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Section 106 Under Threat page, which includes many helpful resources explaining the proposed changes and their impacts. We encourage you to join the National Trust’s letter-writing campaign by writing to Governor Abbott and Austin Congressmembers Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar and letting them know how these proposed changes will impact Austin and why you oppose them.
Preservation Austin is tracking this proposal and will share updates and further calls to action, including opportunities for public comment, as they arise. Follow us on Instagram and sign up for our email newsletter for future updates.