Council handpicked by Trump to gut review process of historic-preservation projects

A federal advisory council stacked with former President Trump's appointees is poised to significantly curtail a long-standing review process for projects impacting historical properties. The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation is voting this week on measures that would diminish the influence of states, tribes, and the public in Section 106 reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act.

Currently, Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their proposed projects on historic sites. This process involves consultation with relevant parties and the public, allowing for input before projects proceed. However, the proposed changes, driven by a council where 20 out of 24 members are Trump administration appointees, aim to redefine historic properties and reduce the necessity for extensive reviews.

Concerns have been raised by preservation groups, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Rob Nieweg of the Trust testified about worries regarding the limited nature of consultations, expedited timelines, exclusion of key stakeholders, and a failure to explore less harmful alternatives. These changes could potentially grant federal agencies greater authority to develop or renovate sites with reduced oversight, impacting future projects across the country.

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We are deeply concerned about the limited nature of the consultation, the rushed timeline, the exclusion of many parties (including the National Trust) from the consultation process, and the failure to consider less harmful alternatives