A recent dangerous move by the federal government to undo 60 years of protections aimed at preserving historic sites, the environment, and Tribal lands remains on the table, part of a larger agenda pushing deregulation of development. 

In July, the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation put forward proposed rules changes that would gut longstanding processes to ensure development plans for these types of sites first undergo review to encourage their preservation or taking the least impactful route to develop them. The federal government is now seeking to remove this requirement to allow unfettered changes to historic properties requiring their approval, as well as environmentally sensitive zones or areas connected to Native heritage. This would allow destruction of historic landmarks in our capital and throughout the country, and natural areas and native lands to be developed without alternatives or preservation being considered. This is part of a broader trend across our city, state, and country to deregulate development and allow powerful interests to have the freest hand possible for development. 

Those proposed rules are awaiting a formal filing that will begin a 30-day comment period. Anticipating that, we are coordinating with preservationists across the country on legal and advocacy strategies, and reaching out to elected officials urging them to oppose these changes. 

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