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Office of History and Archaeology news

Workshop/Webinars
We invite you to join us on February 20, 2025, for our next OHA Education Series webinar, "Alaska and America 250," presented by Alaska State Historian Katie Ringsmuth, PhD.
To register for the session go to: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/81b53be6-e3af-4791-b475-1ee9705a0f7c@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38

Save the Date April 10, 2025 - OHA/SHPO Workshop, BP Energy Center:
Join the Office of History and Archaeology, State Historic Preservation Office for a free, hybrid all-day workshop to provide a forum for discussing updates and news relevant to the historic preservation community in Alaska.
Topics Include:
- Program updates from OHA/SHPO including America250Alaska
- Draft State Historic Preservation Plan
- Guidance on Historic Contexts
- Future Plans for AHRS Portal
- Collections Management
- Q&A Session

Special Event - Collections Management for the Future Expert Panel: A roundtable panel with collections experts from across the state discussing strategies for success from the field to the repository. Speakers TBD.
***REGISTRATION REQUIRED*** This event will be offered in-person (60 person maximum) at the BP Energy Center at 1014 Energy Ct., Anchorage, AK and virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Workshop Registration Page Link:
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/cf8be39e-04b3-48f5-8af9-fc7b9fb1e7a9@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38

For cultural resource specialists preparing for the 2025 field season, keep an eye on our website in the coming weeks for the 2025 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

Contact Us
OHA employees are working a hybrid schedule.

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

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Federal Legislation news

A Continuing Resolution (CR) funds the federal government through March 14, 2025. 

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National Park Service news

After many years working on the revision the NPS adopted the updated Bulletin 38, Identifying, Evaluating, and Documenting Traditional Cultural Places, in December 2024, and is now available.
Publications of the National Register of Historic Places - National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS Grants: Accepting Applications
Semiquincentennial
The Semiquincentennial Grant Program was created by Congress in 2020 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by restoring and preserving sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation. Congress has appropriated $7 million for this program in fiscal year 2024.

Applications are due March 18, 2025.
Apply via Grants.gov P24AS00546

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Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news

ACHP response to Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency:
Consulting Parties,
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, in which he declared an energy emergency in regard to the availability of domestic energy resources and domestic energy production, transportation, refining, and generation. In it, he directed agencies to identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them, as well as all other lawful authorities they may possess, to facilitate the identification, leasing, siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources, including, but not limited to, on Federal lands.

Although the Executive Order does not reference compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the regulations implementing Section 106, "Protection of Historic Properties" at 36 CFR part 800, acknowledge that activities that respond to a disaster or emergency declared by the President require expeditious review. Accordingly, the ACHP has provided the following information to federal agencies to assist them in implementing the terms of the Executive Order in regard to historic preservation reviews. This information is being shared with consulting parties so they are also aware of the ACHP’s advice.

Consistent with 36 CFR § 800.12(b)(1), for any proposed undertaking that falls within the scope of the Executive Order, agencies should follow the terms of any applicable Section 106 agreement that contains emergency provisions, when such agreements exist.

In the absence of such a Section 106 agreement document, agencies can avail themselves of the expedited emergency provisions in Section 800.12(b)(2) of the Section 106 regulations, which require, prior to the undertaking, the agency to notify the ACHP, the appropriate State Historic Preservation Officer or Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations of the undertaking and provide them an opportunity to comment within seven days of notification. Where circumstances allow, agencies are encouraged to consider providing additional time for review and comment, as certain activities addressed by the Executive Order may allow additional time to consider potential effects to historic properties.

Agencies should keep in mind that Section 110(f), 54 U.S.C. § 306107, of the NHPA requires the agency, to the maximum extent possible, undertake such planning and actions as may be necessary to minimize harm to any National Historic Landmark (NHL) that may be directly and adversely affected by a proposed undertaking. Where a proposed emergency response undertaking may direct and adversely affect an NHL, the agency should ensure it meets the higher level of consideration required by Section 110(f) in following the expedited Section 106 review process described above. This would include notifying the National Park Service and inviting its comment in the time allowed.

While Section 800.12 only applies for 30 days following an emergency declaration, pursuant to Section 800.12(d), the ACHP is hereby extending the applicability of the Section 106 emergency provisions to run for the duration of the Presidential declaration.

Additional information may be shared by the ACHP as agencies begin to identify emergency actions relating to this Executive Order. The ACHP will also provide updates via email and on its website as needed. Questions can be directed to Jaime Loichinger, Director of the Office of Federal Agency Programs, at jloichinger@achp.gov.

The ACHP is hosting the second free webinar in the Preserve the Past, Build for the Future webinar series on Tuesday, February 25 at 2 p.m. ET, "Preserving Historic Black Business Districts." There will be a great panel assembled to talk about what their communities are doing to ensure the preservation and future development of these areas. https://www.achp.gov/preservethepastbuildforthefuture

The ACHP is currently accepting applications from undergraduate or graduate students for the ACHP Foundation-supported 10-week, full-time, paid summer internships. Internships may be virtual, on-site, or hybrid. Interns also may receive academic credit if they meet the requirements of their programs. The deadline to submit applications is March 14, 2025. Learn more about ACHP internships by visiting this link and then review the details about this summer’s projects and how to apply at the bottom of the page. Applicants will need to submit an online form through the ACHP website and then email a resume. Questions can be addressed to internships@achp.gov.

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National Trust for Historic Preservation news

The National Fund for Sacred Places: Accepting Applications
This grant program provides training, planning grants, technical assistance, capacity-building support, and capital grants up to $500K to community-serving historic houses of worship across America. Applications are due March 3. https://www.fundforsacredplaces.org/

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

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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.

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Public Projects Alert

Section 106 large project consultation in progress:

Estelle Gold Project, POA-2025-00047, USACE

ICAS Quintillion Fiber, BLM

West Susitna Access Road, DOT&PF

Graphite One Mine near Nome

Safer Seward Highway, MP 98.5-118

Seward to Glenn Connection PEL, DOT&PF

Chilkoot National Historic Trail Comprehensive Trail Plan, NPS

Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:

Thayer Creek Hydro, USFS

Memorandum of Agreement

Harbor Mountain, USFS

Memorandum of Agreement

USFS Heritage Program

Amendment 4, Region 10 Programmatic Agreement

Johnson Tract Access

Programmatic Agreement

Alaska Highway WWII Bridges, DOT&PF

Programmatic Agreement

USFS Sustainable Cabins

Programmatic Agreement

NPS Kennecott Maintenance and Operations

Programmatic Agreement Amendment

NPS Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail

Programmatic Agreement

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.

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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.

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Preservation Calendar

2025

FEBRUARY

• February 23-27 - Partnership for National Trail Systems Hike the Hill annual meeting, Washington, D.C. Co-hosted with American Hiking Society. For more information go to www.americanhiking.org
  
  

MARCH

• March 3 - 6 - NCSHPIO Annual Meeting and historic preservation advocacy week, Washington, D.C.
  
  

• March 12-15 - Alaska Anthropological Association annual meeting and conference. Host University of Alaska Anchorage Anthropology Department, venue UAA campus. Registration for the 2025 annual meeting is now open! | Alaska Anthropological Association
  
  

APRIL

• April 10 - OHA Cultural Resources Workshop. BP Energy Center. Hybrid – in-person and MS Teams. Workshop Registration: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/cf8be39e-04b3-48f5-8af9-fc7b9fb1e7a9@20030bf6-7ad9-42f7-9273-59ea83fcfa38
  
  

MAY

• May 14-17 - The Vernacular Architecture Forum. Annual Meeting, Wilmington, Delaware
  
  

SEPTEMBER

• September 8-12 - NATHPO 25th annual conference. Hosted by Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Details will be in future NATHPO newsletters.
  
  

• September 10 - 13 - AASLH annual conference, theme The American Experiment, Cincinnati, OH. Session proposals are now being accepted and are due on December 13. Learn more about the conference.
  
  

• September 24-27 - Alaska Historical Society annual conference, theme "Vital Lifelines in Alaska History", Fairbanks, Alaska. For more information go to the AHS website www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org
  
  

OCTOBER

• October 8 - ACHP Section 106 Essentials Training, in-person, Atwood Conference Center, 550 W 7The Ave, Suite 1940, Anchorage, Alaska.
  https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/InfoSheet-AnchorageEssentials-8Oct2025_0.pdf
  
  

• October 9 - ACHP Section 106 Agreements Seminar, in-person, Atwood Conference Center, Anchorage, Alaska
  https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/InfoSheet-AnchorageAgreements-9Oct2025_0.pdf
  
  

• October 28-29 - NPI training "NAGPRA and ARPA: Application Requirements", Anchorage, AK. Offered in conjunction with "NEPA Compliance and Cultural Resources". For information go to npi.org
  
  

• October 30-31 - NPI training. "NEPA Compliance and Cultural Resources", Anchorage, AK. Offered in conjunction with "NAGPRA and ARPA". For information go to npi.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