You may have heard the term, “Section 106,” in discussions of U.S. heritage. Perhaps you have seen it in recent headlines. If you’re unfamiliar with this term, “Section 106” refers to a particular part of the National Historic Preservation Act which requires federal agencies to consider how federally funded, licensed, permitted, or approved projects may affect historic places and to consult with Tribal Nations, state and local officials, property owners, experts, and the public before irreversible decisions are made. Recent proposed changes to the NHPA by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) would rewrite Section 106 regulations, drastically reducing the protections that the NHPA offers historic places and cultural property. Combined with potential statutory rollbacks through congressional permitting legislation and Executive Branch efforts to circumvent preservation laws already enacted by Congress, U.S. cultural heritage is under threat.
Over the last two weeks, an unprecedented coalition of 600+ organizations delivered an open letter and brief to Congress. More than 600 Tribal Nations, preservation and conservation organizations, professional associations, businesses, museums, historical societies, and state and local organizations are standing together with the message, “Section 106 works. Congress should protect it, strengthen it, and build on 60 years of success.”
The U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield is proud to be one of the signatory organizations on this letter to Congress. As an organization committed to protecting cultural property, it is our duty to speak out when policies actively threaten heritage, especially within our own country.
Please join us in standing up for heritage:
- Spread the word about the threats to Section 106 and the formation of this important coalition – public support is powerful!
- Contact your election officials and help them understand the adverse effects of the proposed changes to the NHPA.
- Contact media outlets and help to continue the conversation on a larger platform.
Thank you for your support!
And thank you to Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC for organizing the coalition. You can read more about the fight to Defend Section 106 and NHPA, including actions to take and updates on the case, on their website.
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