If you read the title and are not sure what Section 106 is, or even what the NHPA is, you are not alone. Many people do not know what this law is, nor do they realize the impact that it has on their everyday life.
The NHPA stands for the National Historic Preservation Act, signed into law in 1966. In summary, the NHPA protects historical landmarks and buildings. This act emphasizes the impact that history has on communities, and allows people to speak up on matters that concern their community. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agents to consider the effects on historic properties of projects they carry out, assist, fund, permit, license, or approve throughout the country, as stated by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
The changes proposed to Section 106 would have devastating effects to our country. We would lose important historical landmarks and buildings, Native Americans would not be consulted on projects done on their lands, we would lose our ability to have a say on what happens in our neighborhoods, and many archaeologists will lose their jobs, to name a few things at risk. There is a misconception that Section 106 stalls the process of projects, but rarely does this happen. All Section 106 does is give the people effected by a project a chance to vocalize how they feel about it, whether that be positive or negative. The second website that I have linked goes into more detail about what 106 protects.
We need to keep this law in place in order to preserve our history and our voices. We cannot allow our right to determine what happens to our community be taken from us! I ask that everybody reading this article read through every link I have, or at least the National Trust for Historic Preservation website. Within the website linked, there are details to help prevent this proposal from being approved and how it would affect us. This is an incredibly important proposal to help prevent, so please join me in the fight to protect our rights!
An Introduction to Section 106 | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Section 106 Under Threat | National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – Archeology (U.S. National Park Service)