Coalition Member Priorities

1.How do you get news on historic preservation and public policy? Please check all that apply.
2.Which news sources do you rely on for preservation news?
3.Which preservation groups (aside from the Coalition for American Heritage) do you belong to, or follow for news and information?
4.Have you participated in any of the following advocacy efforts led by the Coalition for American Heritage?
5.When you think about which candidates you will support in the upcoming election, do their stances on historic preservation issues impact your decision?
6.Please indicate the level of concern you feel about each of the key issues listed below:
This topic doesn't really concern me
I am somewhat concerned
I am very concerned
The Department of the Interior is in the process of rewriting the regulations governing nominations to the National Historic Register. Their proposed changes would favor large landowners, like mining companies, at the expense of individual residents.
The Council on Environmental Quality has rewritten the regulations governing implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act.  The changes could imperil consideration of cultural resources.
President Trump issued Executive Orders shrinking the size of Bears Ear National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He also issued an Executive Order to weaken the protections at Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Rescinding the protections afforded by national monument status threatens natural and cultural resources at the monuments.
The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) funds America’s key historic preservation programs, including State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, competitive grant programs, and disaster recovery grants. It is authorized to receive $150 million each year. The monies come from offshore leases, not from taxpayer dollars. Congress has never provided the full amount.
Climate change, including rising sea levels and the resulting migration, poses an imminent threat to many archaeological and historic sites.
When Members of Congress introduce bills to speed federal permitting, they often focus on instituting time limits on reviews and page limits on reports. These arbitrary limits can fail to recognize the unique nature of each project and artificially constrain the alternatives that merit consideration and the ability of the public to offer informed reviews and comments.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) uses Appendix C procedures which were never approved as a counterpart regulation by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The procedures have been applied inconsistently across the country and have left the USACE vulnerable to litigation.
Tribal consultation procedures vary widely between federal agencies. Lack of a consistent standard leaves project proponents uncertain about when the consultation requirement has been completed.
7.Using the rating scale below, please indicate your level of support for the following proactive solutions being advocated for by the Coalition for American Heritage.
This topic doesn't really concern me.
This issue matters to me.
This should be a top priority.
Federal permitting standards vary across different agencies and regions. To improve consistency, the U.S. Government could create permitting standards that cross districts and improve training for government employees.
Inadequate access to the internet is one of several factors that hinder public and stakeholder participation in federal decisions during emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Preparation for future disaster situations should include plans for gathering input from stakeholders and the public in an equitable way that recognizes barriers faced by low-income and minority communities.
The Government Accountability Office issued a report on how the federal government could improve its tribal consultation practices. Federal agencies should use those recommendations as a basis for creating fair and consistent policies.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a responsibility to manage public lands in a manner that support multiple uses. BLM should determine how to do landscape-scale planning for public lands in a way that is holistic, considers public input, and includes consideration of climate change.
Culturally significant sites around the world are in danger. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense should improve protections for international cultural heritage items and sites by strengthening their cultural resource programs.
The United States owes the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) more than $600 million in back dues to help protect world heritage sites. The U.S. Government should pay our dues and participate in the protection of cultural heritage around the globe.
Creative mitigation offers project proponents and stakeholders the possibility of shared success. The U.S. Government should focus on making creative mitigation predictable and efficient.  
Project proponents often do not become aware of impacts to historic resources until they are well into the development process. Agencies could promote more pre-planning to head off any contentious issues early in the process.
8.Using the rating scale below, please indicate your level of support for the following legislation that the Coalition of American Heritage is championing.
This topic doesn't really concern me.
This topic matters to me.
This should be a top priority.
Historic African American burial grounds are often overgrown, unmarked, and untended. Congress should pass HR 1179/S 2827, legislation to create a voluntary national network of historic African American burial grounds.
The federal government provides critical funds for research and public education. Congress should support strong funding for National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs and THPOs) often rely on outdated technologies. Congress should invest in digitizing cultural resources data ensuring remote access to facilitate the permitting process, even during times of emergency.
The federal government can lease 316,076-acre area around Chaco Canyon Historic Park for energy development. The State of New Mexico officials and tribes oppose drilling around the park. Congress should pass legislation to withdraw from development or leasing the minerals owned by the U.S. Government. 
Illicitly-procured tribal objects are often sold at auctions in other countries. Congress should pass the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, a bill to direct federal agencies to crack down on the trafficking of items of cultural patrimony and facilitate the return of such items.
Historic tax credits are a proven means of promoting economic growth and urban renewal. Congress should pass the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act to grow local economies.
Veterans face difficulty transitioning to the private sector job market. Congress should provide continued support for veterans’ programs, like Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections (MCX-CMAC) and the Veterans Curation Program, which help veterans by equipping them with marketable skills.
9.Considering all the important topics in historic preservation today, what do you consider to be the single most significant issue on which the Coalition for American Heritage should focus?
10.Every month, the Coalition for American Heritage send out an e-newsletter with updates on the latest historic preservation news from Washington, DC. If you'd like to receive a copy, please provide your email address below.
11.Is there anything else that you’d like us to know about your concerns and priorities?
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