Proposed Changes Threaten the Future of Section 106 Review - How You Can Help

Moffett Field Hangar 2 was reviewed through Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act during its 2015 rehabilitation; California preservation officials were engaged under Section 106 requirements and found that the planned work would not adversely affect its modernist character. Photo: Stephen D. Schafer, 2018. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HAER, CA-335-B-4

Docomomo US strongly opposes the proposed changes to the Section 106 regulations, which would significantly reduce public participation, weaken the role of consulting parties, and shift greater decision-making authority to federal agencies.
— DOCOMOMO US

On Friday, July 18, the Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) circulated a proposal that would fundamentally alter—and, in many respects, dismantle—the federal Section 106 review process as it has existed for decades. The ACHP voted on Friday, July 24, to approve changes. The proposed changes are being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management. Once OIRA and interagency comments are resolved, the new changes will be released for public comment. Please participate in the public comment process!

Help Protect Section 106

Federal officials are advancing changes that could weaken review and limit public participation. Take five minutes to contact your senators and representative now, then watch for the public comment period to open.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is the federal review process that requires agencies to consider the effects of federally funded, licensed, or permitted projects on properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It ensures that preservation organizations, local communities, Tribes, State Historic Preservation Offices, and other consulting parties have an opportunity to participate in decisions affecting our nation's historic resources.

Docomomo US (NOCA's parent organization) has participated as a consulting party in numerous Section 106 reviews involving nationally significant Modern resources, including the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC, the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters in Federal Way, Washington, and the Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, California. We are currently consulting on the proposed redesign of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, and advocating for the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building, which was deemed ineligible for listing in the National Register before it reached the 50-year threshold.

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