Defending the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106

November 19, 2025 by Preservation Leadership Forum

Members of the National Trust’s Government Relations and Legal teams hosted a webinar to assist advocates in preparing for anticipated policy discussions on Capitol Hill about the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Section 106 consultation process. It is essential that preservation advocates are prepared to speak about how the NHPA and Section 106 are cornerstones of preservation practice.

This session will equip participants with background knowledge, messaging strategies, and real-world examples that illustrate how these tools protect historic and cultural resources while ensuring responsible development. Panelists will provide an overview of the policy landscape, explain what is at stake, and outline how advocates can respond to possible legislative or regulatory actions. The objective of the webinar is to ensure preservation advocates are prepared to offer guidance to policymakers about the NHPA and the important role the law plays in safeguarding the nation’s historic and cultural resources.

Speakers

Moderator: Shaw Sprague, Vice President for Government Relations

Pam Bowman, Senior Director of Public Lands Policy
Christopher Cody, Associate General Counsel
Betsy Merritt, Deputy General Counsel
Lauren Cohen, Associate Director of Government Relations

Links and Resources

Past Webinars

Section 106 101

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