Office of History and Archaeology news

The OHA is in the process of updating and expanding its Historic Preservation Series (HPS), which provides targeted guidance for cultural resource professionals. In addition to the recent updates to the Reporting (#3) and Cultural Resource Investigations (#11) HPS documents, check out the newly added Literature Review (#17) and Survey Methods (#18).
Link to the HPS Series: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/hpseries/hpseries.htm

Links to the individual new HPS documents:

Reporting: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/hpseries/hp03.pdf
Cultural Resource Investigations: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/hpseries/hp11.pdf
Literature Reviews: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/hpseries/hp17.pdf
Survey Methods: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/hpseries/hp18.pdf

For cultural resource specialists preparing for the 2024 field season, keep an eye on our website in the coming weeks for the 2024 update to the State Cultural Resource Investigation Permit (SCRIP) Stipulations and Stipulation Instructions.
Website where SCRIP updates will be: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/archsurv/permitinvestigate.htm

OHA is recruiting for an Archaeologist 1/2 Flex position with the Survey Unit. This is a permanent seasonal position. The season typically lasts 10 months. Please review the posting (HERE). Recruitment is open to All Applicants and closes January 23, 2024.

2024 OHA/SHPO Workshop
OHA/SHPO is hosting an in-person, all-day workshop at the BP Energy Center, Anchorage, AK on April 5, 2024. It will be the first in-person workshop since 2019. Meet and reconnect with OHA/SHPO staff. Network with representatives from federal and state agencies, local governments, Tribes, and other cultural resource professionals. Topics will include:

  • Program updates from OHA/SHPO
  • Revising the State Historic Preservation Plan,
  • Updated guidance documents with Q&A,
  • Updates and future plans for the AHRSPortal, and
  • Collaborative projects.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Pat Druckenmiller, University of Alaska Museum of the North, has agreed to present on paleontology in Alaska with an emphasis on what to do if your project encounters or discovers fossils.

Registration and other details are under development. Be on the lookout for more information in future newsletters.

Contact Us
OHA employees are working a hybrid schedule. This means that correspondence, phone calls, and the processing of invoices/payments may be delayed.

While the Office of History and Archaeology staff are working remotely, we recommend people contact staff by email. If you have a general inquiry, a project for review, or state cultural resources investigation permit application please use one of the following email addresses:

General inquiry, geographic names, Alaska Historical Commission, etc.: dnr.oha@alaska.gov
Review/compliance, Section 106, project review: oha.revcomp@alaska.gov
State Cultural Resource Investigation Permits: oha.permits@alaska.gov
Alaska Heritage Resource Survey access, renewals, or submissions: oha.ibs@alaska.gov


Federal Legislation news

A recently passed Continuing Resolution (CR) funds the federal government through March 1 and March 8.

The FY24 House Interior Appropriations bill, which passed the House in November, included $175.4 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), a nearly $30 million cut below current enacted levels. While the FY24 Senate Interior Appropriations bill included $195.166 for the HPF and 1 year authorization for the HPF. Both bills included level funding for SHPOs, THPOs and grant programs, but the House bill eliminated congressionally directed spending in the HPF.




White House news

White House to Host Listening Sessions on New American Climate Corp, which was created last fall to prioritize clean energy and conservation. The American Climate Corps, "a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy". There is a possibility the Corps could be used to protect cultural resources from climate change threats. Virtual listening sessions are being held January 11th, 16th, and 25th as well as February 1st. Register for a listening session here. Written comments emailed to ACC@americorps.gov will also be accepted through January 31, 2024.


National Park Service news

The 2023 NHL Bulletin replaces the 1999 version (National Register Bulletin: How to Prepare National Historic Landmark Nominations) as the core guidance for understanding NHLs and the process by which they are identified, nominated, and designated. NHL Bulletin - National Historic Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)


Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news

ACHP members adopted three major policy statements in 2023. These policies tackle some of the most pressing issues facing not only the cultural resources management community a series of Policy Chats in February to learn more and participate in the discussion. https://www.achp.gov/news/achp-offer-policy-chats-february

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announced its adoption of a policy statement on housing and historic preservation that advances a multi-pronged strategy, at all levels of government, to encourage rehabilitation of historic buildings for housing and accelerate permitting and environmental review. The policy statement also will provide a critical tool for community groups, nonprofit organizations, developers, and others in the private sector to use in advancing preservation values while proactively expediting housing creation and retention. https://www.achp.gov/news/achp-adopts-housing-and-historic-preservation-policy

ACHP/HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence – deadline extended
The deadline for the 2024 ACHP/HUD Secretary's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation is now February 7, 2024. This joint award honors outstanding projects that have advanced the goals of historic preservation while promoting affordable housing, community revitalization, and/or enhanced economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

National Trust/ACHP Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation
The deadline for nominations for the National Trust/ACHP Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation is Friday, January 26, 2024. The National Trust/Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Award honors outstanding partnerships that advance the preservation of important historic resources and have an impact on the community. It celebrates a project or program in which a federal agency and one or more nonfederal partners have achieved an exemplary preservation outcome. The entire application is completed online (by 11:59 p.m. January 26, 2024, in the local time zone).

Training:
The ACHP's Preserve the Past, Build for the Future webinar series is back in 2024. The series is geared toward college students and those interested in historic preservation. The five-part webinar series features speakers and question and answer sessions. Register here.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is offering digital classrooms for their Section 106 courses: The Section 106 Essentials and Section 106 Agreements Seminar. They will use Zoomgov.com. To learn more and register, go to www.achp.gov/training/classroom.


National Historical Publications and Records Commission - NHPRC

Congress established the NHPRC grants program to promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage.
Each year, Congress appropriates up to $10 million for grants:

  • in support of the nation's archives
  • for projects to edit and publish historical records of national importance

The NHPRC supports projects to:

  • research and develop means to preserve authentic electronic records
  • assist archives through a network of state partners
  • preserve and make accessible records and archives
  • publish papers documenting America's founding era
  • publish papers documenting other eras and topics important to an understanding of American history
  • improve professional education for archivists and historical documentary editors

Grant Opportunity:
Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives
For collaborative projects that will significantly improve public discovery and use of major historical records collections.
Archives Collaboratives
For projects to plan and develop a working collaborative designed to enhance the capacity of small and diverse organizations with historical records collections.
State Board Programming Grants
For projects that strengthen the nation's archival network through activities undertaken by state historical records advisory boards.
Publishing Historical Records in Collaborative Digital Editions
For projects to publish documentary editions of historical records. This program has two application cycles.


National Trust for Historic Preservation news

National Trust Preservation Funds Grant Program: Accepting Applications
The National Trust invites you to save the historic places within our community and participate in the National Trust Preservation Funds grant program. This annual program supports local preservation organizations' efforts to preserve and protect important places in their communities.
Funding ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 and supports preservation planning and educational projects. The next deadline is Feb 1.
Grant projects have included engineering and architectural consulting services; tours that are accessible via smart devices; and market studies to assist in prioritizing preservation objectives. For more information, visit http://forum.savingplaces.org/preservation-funds or contact Grants@savingplaces.org.

Apply for the National Fund for Sacred Places
The National Fund for Sacred Places provides training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support, and capital grants up to $500,000 to community-serving congregations across America. Apply for funding by Feb 29.

Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund grants (up to $2,500) for travel costs and mentor honoraria are available for Organization Level Forum or Main Street America members of the National Trust. The purpose of these grants is to support the leadership and effectiveness of staff and board members of preservation organizations through individualized mentoring and the sharing of expertise. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. For more information go to forum@savingplaces.org

Links to Additional National Trust Deadlines and Events


National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

NATHPO invites tribes and native organizations to stay current on important happenings using their new Calendar of Events. They have job listings, Community Job Board, and listing of relevant Grant Opportunities.


Public Projects Alert

Section 106 large project consultation in progress:

West Susitna Access Road

BLM ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawal revocation

Draft EIS

Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:

Alaska Highway WWII Bridges

Programmatic Agreement

Alaska FiberOptic Project: Fort Yukon, Beaver, Stevens Village, Rampart, and Tanana

Programmatic Agreement

Glenn Highway Corridor

Programmatic Agreement

Sterling Highway MP 45-60

Data Recovery Plan Amendment

USFS Sustainable Cabins

Programmatic Agreement

NPS Kennecott Maintenance and Operations

Programmatic Agreement Amendment

NPS Climate Change at Dyea

Programmatic Agreement

BLM Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Program

Programmatic Agreement Amendment

Ambler Industrial Access Road

Programmatic Agreement Amendment

For information on how to participate in the process, or on how to review and comment on the above projects, contact Sarah Meitl, sarah.meitl@alaska.gov.


Heritage Subscription Information

Heritage is produced by the Office of History and Archaeology, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Please send your comments, suggestions, and information by e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov, mail to 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1310, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3565, or telephone 907.269.8700.

All issues are posted to our web site at dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha and distributed to subscribers by e-mail. A paper copy can be sent to individuals and organizations that specifically request it.

To be added to the subscription list, please send an e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov with "Heritage, subscribe" in the subject line.

If you do not wish to continue to receive Heritage, please send an e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov with "Heritage, unsubscribe" in the subject line.


Preservation Calendar

2024

FEBRUARY

  • February 21-24 - Alaska Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, Fairbanks, AK. For more information visit the 2024 Annual Conference.

MARCH

APRIL

  • April 5 - OHA/SHPO in-person workshop. BP Energy Center, Anchorage, AK. Save the date. Content and schedule are under development. Be on the lookout for more information in future newsletters.

JULY

  • July 31- August 4 - National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), NAPC FORUM 2024, West Palm Beach, FL., Save the Date. National conference focused on issues facing local historic preservation commissions. NAPC FORUM

SEPTEMBER

  • September 25-28 - Museums Alaska Conference, theme Building Community, Fairbanks, AK. For more information email director@museumsalaska.org

OCTOBER

  • October 9-12 - Alaska Historical Society annual meeting, Cordova. SavingPlaces.org

  • October 28-30 - PastForward, National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference, New Orleans. Conference programing proposals and nominations for National Preservation Awards due January 12, 2024. SavingPlaces.org

NOVEMBER

  • November 13-14 - Cultural Landscapes: An Introduction, National Preservation Institute Workshop. Learn more at npi.org or contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org. SavingPlaces.org

  • November 15 - Cultural Landscapes: Advanced Tools for Managing Change, National Preservation Institute Workshop. Learn more at npi.org or contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org. SavingPlaces.org

National Preservation Institute provides continuing education and professional training in historic preservation and cultural resource management throughout the year. For training options go to: www.npi.org For information contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org