From Preservation Action:

Earlier this month the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), an independent federal agency tasked with advising the President and Congress on historic preservation issues, sent a letter to congressional leaders in support of the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3350). This bill would reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) for 10 years and increase the annual authorization from $150 million to $250 million. 

As the letter notes, the HPF will expire on September 30th. Urgent action is needed from Congress to ensure deposits continue into the Fund and provide certainty for the critical preservation work that relies on this funding. The HPF supports the vital work of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and important competitive grant programs that are helping to preserve places that tell the full American story. 

Additionally, H.R. 3350 would increase the HPF's annual authorized level from $150 million to $250 million. The letter highlights that this funding hasn't been increased since the program was established in 1976 and has become increasingly inadequate. Growing demands on SHPOs/THPOs which are only being accelerated by an influx of federal projects, expansion of several HPF-funded competitive grant programs, an increasing number of THPOs, and inflation all point to the need for an increased authorization.

While the letter emphasizes the ACHP's strong support for H.R. 3350 as written, they also urge Congress to continue consideration of permanent reauthorization of the HPF. 

Take Action

Join us in taking action to support H.R. 3350. Your efforts are needed now more than ever. The HPF is set to expire on September 30th and we need your help to ensure this critical funding source continues uninterrupted. Urge your Representative to cosponsor and support the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act! If you have a personal contact in your Representative's office, contact that person directly. We've also made it easy for you. Check out our action alert for additional resources and to easily edit and send a letter to your Representative TODAY! Also be sure to and share this alert with your networks.