For 60 years, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has helped ensure that when the federal government initiates, funds, or approves undertakings, it first takes time to consider how those projects might affect historic places in our communities.

Just as important, Section 106 enables public participation and comment in the process and empowers State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, local governments, and preservation organizations to have a meaningful voice in those decisions.

Section 106 has never been about stopping progress; rather, it facilitates better decisions through consultation and collaboration and ultimately enhances the outcome.

Today, these longstanding practices face the most significant challenge in their history.

Let me be clear: the ACHP’s proposed changes to the Section 106 regulations threaten the history of our nation and the fabric of our society. This is an unprecedented and deliberate attack on our civic and cultural inheritance and the work many of you do every day.

The proposed changes would eviscerate the process that allows us to weigh in on federal agency actions that threaten our shared civic and cultural heritage.

And these proposed changes will lead to more delays and more litigation as federal agencies and applicants try to navigate compliance without the well-known consultation process, a process which often leads to negotiated win-win outcomes.

If implemented as written, the proposed changes would mean that federal agencies will no longer be required to seek ways to avoid or minimize damage to the historic places that connect us to our shared history—from iconic architecture and storied neighborhoods to ancient sacred landscapes.

These changes matter because historic places matter.

To meet this challenge head on we’ve developed a set of resources to support our collective call to action. And in recognition and celebration of our nation’s 250 years—we are setting an ambitious goal of sending 250,000 letters to governors and members of Congress.

I invite you to help us mobilize the American public and ask that you join this effort.

Brent Leggs
President & CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation