Neighbors, The info below may seem a bit bureaucratic, but trust me, it’s important for the City of St Augustine.
At Monday’s meeting, the City Commission unanimously (4-0) passed Resolution 2026-27 opposing proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).
What is Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966?
It’s the part of the act that requires federal agencies to consider the effects on historic properties of projects they carry out, fund, permit, license, or approve nationwide. Section 106 gives interested parties and the public(us!!) a chance to weigh in on planned projects before a final decision is made. This process is an important tool for citizens to lend their voice in protecting and maintaining historic properties in their communities.
An example is the rebuilding of the Bridge of Lions. Section 106 allowed the City of St Augustine to participate in the bridge’s design and build process.
Why did the City Commission do this, you ask?
The commission acted because, on 24 July, the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) voted to move forward with a revision to the regulations implementing Section 106. Essentially, the Council is pushing for changes that will cut state and local governments and the public out of decisions that could impact our historic assets. Some of the most disturbing aspects of the proposed changes include:
• Federal agencies will no longer be required to try to avoid or minimize damage to America's historic architecture, neighborhoods, and landscapes.
• State and local governments will no longer have the right to be notified or have the opportunity to comment when federal agencies initiate a project that could impact historic places within their jurisdiction.
• The public's opportunity to comment on federal historic preservation policies or actions would now be entirely optional, at the discretion of the federal agency.
• The federal government will no longer be required to consult with Native American tribes or seek their expertise regarding their own significant cultural resources.
• Significant cultural landscape features would no longer be considered historic properties, so federal agencies would no longer be required to consider any adverse effects to significant places such as the Grand Canyon.
The good news is that the proposed changes have not yet been published in the Federal Register. It could happen soon, but there’s still time for you to weigh in.
What can you do?
1. Write to Governor DeSantis to share how these changes impact historic properties in St. Augustine. His email is: governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com
2. Write to our members of Congress and consider contacting the district office during the August recess to make your voice heard.
Senator Rick Scott (contact via website): https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/contact
Senator Ashley Moody (contact via website)
https://www.moody.senate.gov/contact-us/
Representative John Rutherford (email via website)
https://rutherford.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/EmailUS
3. Be prepared to send comments to the ACHP when the comment period opens. Email: achp@achp.gov
4. Connect with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and stay informed on the latest developments. https://savingplaces.org/section106
Apologies for a rather bureaucratic post, but this is important to a city that claims history is its brand.
If you care about historic preservation, please help!
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