07/21/2026
For nearly 60 years, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has helped ensure that historic places are considered during federal project planning. The process is built on consultation, bringing together federal agencies, Tribal Nations, State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs), local governments, preservation professionals, and the public to identify and consider places that matter to communities.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is currently considering significant revisions to the regulations that implement Section 106. The proposed changes could substantially reduce opportunities for consultation and public involvement in the review process. They would place the decision making on historic properties strictly in the hands of the federal agencies, removing States, Tribes, Descendants, and Local Communities from the process.
For decades, SHPOs, Tribal Nations, local governments, community members, and subject matter experts have provided valuable knowledge about historic places that may not be widely known but are deeply important to our history.
A key concern raised by these proposed revisions is that state and local stakeholders would only learn and be able to comment on federal projects that may affect historic resources in their communities when the federal agency issues its final report. Local knowledge of the location of important archaeological sites and historic properties would not be considered in the project review. If opportunities for consultation are reduced, important information about local history and cultural significance may never become part of the conversation before decisions are finalized. In our experience, it is the local community that knows it’s history best, because that history belongs to them, not Washington D.C.
At its core, Section 106 has always been about more than compliance. It helps ensure that decisions are informed by local knowledge, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to preserving the places that tell our nation's story.
NSA encourages anyone interested in historic preservation, cultural resources, planning, or community stewardship to learn more about the proposed revisions and participate in the public comment when it becomes available.
