Recently, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) drafted new language for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Their proposed language creates major setbacks for the prevention of demolition of historic structures and cultural heritage throughout the United States. Section 106 is a critical part of the National Historic Preservation Act, ensuring that agencies are required to work with local communities to find a solution to development and other actions that isn't at the expense of local historic structures and cultural heritage. With the new proposed language, what is considered historic is redefined, agency consultation with communities will be optional, and agencies will not be required to implement any community feedback. This is incredibly dangerous and undoes 60 years of precedent in the protection of historic preservation in the United States. It impacts triable, state, and local preservation entities and our ability to work with agencies to ensure our historic resources are protected. The National Trust for Historic Places, in partnership with numerous other National Preservation entities, has created resources and calls to action that we can all take part in to protest the proposed language. To learn more about this proposed language and what you can do to help, visit www.preservationdurham.org/news or through the link in our bio.