The ACHP also asked federal agencies to account for whether their identification methods changed during 2020-2023 and approximately what total percentage or portion of their real property inventory has now been surveyed and evaluated for the National Register. Several agencies highlighted an increase in funding and focus on identification
for Section 110 of the NHPA, which requires federal agencies to identify, evaluate, and nominate historic properties under their jurisdiction or control, toward more proactive historic preservation planning, while others have undertaken reorganization of their internal review processes to streamline workflows. As the ACHP reported in 2021, agencies noted advances in collection and management of survey information about historic properties in digital format, enabling direct population of agency GIS layers or other databases.
Under the NHLPA, GSA, NPS, and USCG work together to find new stewards for decomissioned historic lighthouses. GSA sold the Penfield Reef Light in Long Island Sound with preservation covenants in 2022. (GSA)
The Mississippi River Commission building, Vicksburg, MS. Planned repairs to the roof, walls, windows, and interior building systems will restore the building’s physical integrity, improve safety, reduce operating costs, and extend its service life for another 125 years. (Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc./GSA)
Also of note is the addition of 102 cultural landscapes to NPS’s Cultural Landscapes Inventory, for a total of 963 currently listed or eligible for the National Register (as districts or sites) or managed as cultural resources because of legislation or park planning process decisions. NPS currently recognizes four categories of cultural landscapes: historic designed landscapes, historic vernacular landscapes, historic sites, and ethnographic landscapes. Most agencies reported a 1-2 percent increase in survey and/or evaluation of built inventory and lands over the reporting period. However, some celebrated greater numbers, including the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), which identified nearly 1,000 new sites, comprising nearly 21 percent of its total inventory of archaeological sites. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the continued integration of its Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Program practices with other lines of business, such as contracting, facilities, and acquisition offices, has resulted in the evaluation of 20 percent of its owned portfolio evaluated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, in comparison to only 12 percent in FY 2020. Agencies that have met or are close to meeting their goal of 100 percent identification can be more proactive in their planning and Section 106 processes, and able to disclose the presence of historic properties, assess effects, and develop projects that avoid adverse effects to historic properties in the early stages of project development.
Federal Agency Progress on Identifying Historic Properties
The ACHP reviewed agency progress reports with a focus on major patterns and trends in reporting on identification efforts. While it was not possible to extract quantitative values from the data received due to inconsistencies in regard to categories and terminology used by agencies, in general, most responded that they continued to make progress in identifying historic properties under their ownership. In some cases, agencies have experienced an increase in property under their stewardship, which will require identification efforts in the future. Eight National Monuments were designated during the reporting period, some of which are federally managed, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the addition of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) to its protective oversight and expansion of Flower Banks NMS offshore of Galveston, Texas, with six additional sanctuaries proposed and in the process of delegation. Agencies also reported the disposition of property from federal ownership. Disposition of property with protective covenants were demonstrated as successes by several agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), for example, maintained ongoing partnerships with GSA, NPS, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for administration of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) Program to transfer historic lighthouse properties from Coast Guard ownership to appropriate qualified recipients who must maintain the property’s historic character. During this reporting period, USCG identified 10 lighthouse properties as excess for disposal through the program.
20
IN A SPIRIT OF STEWARDSHIP: A Report on Federal Historic Properties • 2024 | 21
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker