National Historic Preservation And Endangered Species Acts Under Attack

DistressedAmerican

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Thu May-12-05 10:10 AM
Original message

National Historic Preservation And Endangered Species Acts Under Attack

Edited on Thu May-12-05 10:15 AM by DistressedAmerican

THE FOLLOWING IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DISTRESSED AMERICAN, ARCHAEOLOGIST AND CONCERNED CITIZEN!!!

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Please keep this kicked for Historic Preservation.

The battle is in its early stages (still at the sub-committee level). But, the changes being proposed are unacceptable. This is one we can fight from the first days on.

We MUST if we care about the past being preserved for OUR CHILDREN!

As an archaeologist I am extremely troubled by these changes Proposed by Rep. Pombo (R) of California and his corporate sponsors. They represent the victory of industry over our cultural and environmental heritage!
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Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this legislation. It is being sponsored by California Right Wingers with the backing of among other folks the cell phone industry.

In essence, what the changes propose would gut the National Historic Preservation Act. As it stands now, all construction on state or federal land or any using tax dollars MUST be preceded by an environmental and archaeological assessment before construction can damage the resources that might be there.

The changes proposed would in essence eliminate that provision, limiting protection to places ALREADY LISTED with the National Register Of Historic Places.

That means any archaeological remains NOT ALREADY IDENTIFIED can be destroyed with impunity!

These laws as they stand are inadequate as they do not protect resources on private property. As am archaeologist, I have worked in many other countries and am familiar their historic preservation laws. They are far more stringent. All archaeological materials in Mexico for example are protected by law.

If these rule changes pass, we will be returning Historic Preservation to the state it was in in 1965!

Here is a link to the actual proposed legislation:
http://www.acra-crm.org/nunesamendmentdraft.pdf

Transcripts of the National Parks Sub-Committee can be found here:
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/archives/109/nprpl/042105.htm

Several organizations are mobilizing to fight against these proposed legislative changes. Among them is American Cultural Resources Association:
http://www.acra-crm.org/

-From Their Site-

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ELIMINATE ELIGIBILITY FROM SECTION 106
The House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, chaired by Rep. Nunes of California, is proposing amendments to Section 106 of the NHPA. Only properties listed or formally determined eligible by the Secretary of the Interior would be considered in the Section 106 review process. This would, of course, eliminate a substantial number of properties from 106, and could well have the opposite effect from that intended by its authors by the added cost of nominating sites. There are other issues, as well. For a copy of the draft amendment, click here. The Subcommittee will hold hearings on April 21, where testimony will be taken. ACRA and other organizations are working to gather information in support of maintaining the eligibility requirement. ACRA members and the general public should also contact the committee and their representatives to express their concern. To contact your Representative click here or here. For a list of Subcommittee, Committee and House Historic Preservation Caucus members and their contact information click here.

Please support their efforts, contact your representatives and help spread the message about this proposed legislation!!!
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