Billy Berler, billy.berler@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation voted to advance changes that would weaken federal oversight of construction projects affecting historic sites and culturally important landscapes. The changes to the rules governing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act would give federal agencies more discretion over how projects are evaluated while reducing requirements to consult Tribal Nations or seek public input. They could also exclude certain landscape features with historic and sacred significance to Indigenous people from consideration altogether.
One of the most serious changes would remove clear requirements for federal agencies to consult with Tribal Nations. Section 106 is one of the few federal safeguards that gives Tribes a formal role before agencies approve projects that could damage sacred sites or places tied to their history and culture.
“The Trump administration is trying to make it easier to approve projects that could destroy sacred and historic places while silencing the people most affected by them,” said Director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All Campaign, Jackie Ostfeld. “These changes would shut Tribal Nations and local communities out of decisions about places that hold deep cultural and historic meaning. From sacred landscapes across the country to historic views surrounding Arlington National Cemetery, these places deserve careful review and the strongest public oversight.”
This proposed rulemaking compounds the Trump administration’s recent broader attacks on historic and culturally significant places nationwide. The administration has sought to strip protections from public lands and allow more drilling and mining in cultural landscapes. It has also pushed vanity projects in Washington, DC while parks and public lands that teach us about America’s history remain underfunded.
The weaker process could also help Trump advance his proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery, which the Sierra Club has opposed throughout the federal review process, including with public testimony before the National Capital Planning Commission.
The proposal will now go through federal review before being published in the Federal Register. The Sierra Club urges the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to withdraw it and work directly with Tribal Nations and others affected by the changes.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.