Office of History and Archaeology news

Alaska Historic Commission meeting – October 3. The AHC will meet October 3, 9am to 3:30 pm via MS Teams. The morning session includes consideration of CLG grant applications, a National Register nomination, Geographic Names proposals and a presentation entitled “Considering Name Changes”, at 9:30am, by the staff to the US Board on Geographic Names. Public Comment is scheduled for 10:30 am. The afternoon session, starting at 1:00 pm, is devoted to the America250 anniversary. U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Chair Rosie Rios will lead a discussion on Alaska and the America250. Visit Alaska Historical Commission to learn more. To register to attend the Geographic Names or America250 sessions, to speak during the 10:30 am Public Comment, or attend the general business meeting, email a request to dnr.oha@alaska.gov.

OHA is recruiting for an Archaeologist 1 Long Term Nonpermanent Position to work with the State Historic Preservation Office’s Section 106 program. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/jobs/4667413/archaeologist-1-pcn-10-n25004
Recruitment closes October 14, 5:00 pm.

The Office of History and Archaeology staff are working on a hybrid schedule. 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

The House has passed 5 out of their 12 FY25 appropriations bills, including the House Interior Appropriations Bill. The House Interior Appropriations bill included $168.9 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), $19.76 million below FY24 enacted levels. The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced 11 out of 12 appropriations bills. The Senate Interior Appropriations bill included $182.775 million for the HPF, $5.891 million below enacted levels. Both bills included a 1 year authorization for HPF, which is again set to lapse at the end of the month.


National Park Service news

Grants
The Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for NPS FY2024 competitive programs will be spring through fall 2024. To be notified when this year's opportunities become available, go to Grants.gov and subscribe to a saved search: for CFDA 15.929 for Save America's Treasures (SAT), 15.932 for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and 15.966 for all other competitive programs. You can create a saved search on grants.gov under the “Connect” menu. The application period is 60-90 days from the time the NOFO is posted on Grants.gov. Because the window to apply for funding is limited, we encourage all applicants to plan well ahead of the application deadline. Information on applying to all of NPS’ competitive programs is available through their website year-round. Registration in Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and other federal systems can take up to four weeks, so start early. Extensions will not be granted due to incomplete registrations in these systems or applications.




Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news

ACHP proposed Program Comment on Accessible, Climate-Resilient, & Connected Communities. Comment is out for public review. Comment deadline is October 9th.

Educational information about this effort and concerns that the program comments eliminate the opportunity for citizens and State Historic Preservation Officers to be involved in federal undertakings can be found on the NCSHPO website. https://ncshpo.org/2024/08/29/ncshpo-response-to-achp-proposed-program-comment-on-accessible-climate-resilient-connected-communities/

Training:
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announces September, 2024 Section 106 training opportunities, presented online via Zoom, including one free webinar. Staff in the Office of Federal Agency Programs will present two more September webinars and a Section 106 Essentials course on the following dates: Webinar Series:

Section 106 Documentation & e106 (Register early before this free course fills!)
Thursday, September 26, 3:00-4:00 pm EDT

Section 106 Essentials
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 24 & 25, 12:30-4:30 pm EDT

For course content information and registration instructions, visit https://www.achp.gov/training/
Contact Tanya Devonish with any questions at training@achp.gov.


Federal Highway Administration news

2024 Byways Grants
The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) 2024 Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now available!
NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO
Applications for the NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 16, 2024.
Opportunity Number: 693JJ324NF00029
Opportunity Name: National Scenic Byways Program-2024
Assistance Listing Number: 20.205
NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO Overview Webinar
This webinar will provide information about the NSBP 2024 Grants NOFO. Topics include an overview of the National Scenic Byways Program grants, grant funding eligibility, requirements and process for submitting a grant application, key deadlines, and next steps post award. Information to register for the webinar is provided below. A recording and copy of the presentation slides will be made available on this website following the webinar.
Topic: National Scenic Byways Program 2024 Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity Overview Webinar for applicants and the general public
Date and Time: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Eastern Time
Register: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_6XRaR5MiR1-WERecb4a3cw

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), enacted on December 29, 2022, appropriated $20 million, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), enacted on March 8, 2024, appropriated an additional $7.5 million in Highway Infrastructure Program funds for the NSBP under 23 U.S.C. 162. Under 23 U.S.C. 162(b), grants and technical assistance are to be made available to States or Indian Tribes to (a) implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads (America's Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and (b) plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.


National Trust for Historic Preservation news

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting nominations for the 2025 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Since 1988, the National Trust has published an annual list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of our nation's greatest treasures. The list, which has identified more than 350 sites to date, has proven so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts that only a handful of sites have been lost.

Celebrate the power of place and register today for the October 7 online program, Activating the Power of Place: A Conversation with the Leadership of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In October 2024 the National Trust for Historic Preservation begins commemorating its 75th anniversary. To mark the occasion, join the special conversation with the leadership of the organization and its subsidiaries. National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen will be joined by Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes, National Trust Community Investment Corporation President CEO David Clower, and NT Green Fund President Patrice Frey as they explore how preservation today is activating the power of place to improve people’s lives, and what lies ahead.

Forum Webinars are currently free and open to the public. Register today!
https://savingplaces.org/upcoming-webinars

National Trust Preservation Funds Grant Program:
National Trust grants are announced throughout the year. Sign up for the grants interest list.
For more information, visit https://savingplaces.org/grants
Applications for the next round of National Trust Preservation Fund grants is October 1. Funding is for projects up to $5,000.


National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers news

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, DOT&PF

Graphite One Mine near Nome

Safer Seward Highway, MP 98.5-118

Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:

Johnson Tract Access

Programmatic Agreement

Alaska Highway WWII Bridges

Programmatic Agreement

Glenn Highway Corridor

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.


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

SEPTEMBER

  • September 24 - Section 106 Essentials, ACHP Section 106 Webinar, Tuesday, September 24, 12:30-4:30 pm EDT For course content information and registration instructions, visit https://www.achp.gov/training/

  • September 25 - Section 106 Essentials, ACHP Section 106 Webinar, Wednesday, September 25, 12:30-4:30 pm EDT For course content information and registration instructions, visit https://www.achp.gov/training/

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

  • September 26 - Section 106 Documentation & e106, AHCP Section 106 Webinar, Thursday, September 26, 3:00-4:00 pm EDT. (Register early before this free course fills!) For course content information and registration instructions, visit https://www.achp.gov/training/

OCTOBER

  • October 3 - Alaska Historic Commission meeting. Agenda under development. For more information contact dnr.oha@alaska.gov.

  • 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 7 - Preservation Alaska annual membership meeting at 6:00pm. Will be presenting annual Historic Preservation Awards, the Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties grant awards, and a presentation on a group of women from Minnesota who owned the Garnet Mine at the mouth of the Stikine River just north of Wrangell. RSVP: AKpreservation@gmail.com

  • 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.

  • 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.

DECEMBER

  • December 12 - OHA Education Series Webinar, Survey Unit Results 2024.

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