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Office of History and Archaeology news

The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) is in the early stages of updating the Alaska Historic Preservation Plan for 2025 to 2035. We are pleased to have Dr. Betsy Bradley discuss current historic preservation concepts at our July 9th webinar. Betsy H. Bradley, Ph.D, is an experienced heritage preservation specialist, historian, and professor of historic preservation. Her professional interests center on developing a lived-in heritage landscape framework for stewarding places people value and encouraging the recognition of the important relationships between people and places that support heritage wellbeing. She keenly monitors the ever-changing historic preservation field in the United States. We hope you can join us. Free webinar.

Join us: Virtual Historic Preservation Workshop
Date and Time: July 9, 2024, 1:30 PM - 3 PM
Details: You are invited to join state and national historic preservation leaders for a virtual participatory planning workshop to learn how to get involved. Discover what’s new about lived-in heritage landscapes, statewide collaborative planning efforts, and saving Alaska's past for the future.
Featured presentation: Dr. Betsy Bradley, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Board Director, Lived-in Heritage Landscapes: Forging Connections between People and Places.
To Register click on this link: Register for the workshop
For Questions Contact: Maria Lewis at maria.lewis@alaska.gov or 907-269-8717

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

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National Park Service news

New guidance on acoustical panel ceilings.
The National Park Service has issued new guidance that provides information about evaluating the significance of historic acoustical panel ceilings and on retaining them as part of residential and hotel conversion projects when they are character-defining features, taking into account feasibility, practicality, and other issues.

NPS Grant opportunities:
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.

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Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news

Chair Sara C. Bronin today announced the installation of three new ACHP members: Expert Member Erica Avrami; Tribal Member Amelia Marchand; and General Public Member Jane Woodfin. President Joe Biden appointed them to terms ending June 2028.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) will have its next business meeting on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. The meeting will take place in the Kennedy Caucus Room (Room 325) of the Russell Senate Office Building, 2 Constitution Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook and the recording will be made available following the proceedings on the ACHP's YouTube Channel.
For more information go to ACHP website: https://achp.gov

Program Comments: Housing and Climate Change
The ACHP is considering the issuance of program comments based on two policy statements enacted in 2023 and seeks preliminary input from federal agencies, State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, preservation stakeholders, and the public on their potential scope. In both the Policy Statement on Housing and Historic Preservation and the Policy Statement on Climate Change and Historic Preservation the ACHP suggested the Section 106 review process could be improved to enable federal agencies to more effectively advance historic preservation while also meeting the nation’s housing needs and climate goals.

A program comment is one of five types of program alternatives available in the Section 106 regulations to tailor approaches to how the requirements of Section 106 are achieved. A program comment allows the ACHP to comment on certain categories of undertakings in lieu of commenting on a case-by-case basis. Program comments can help federal agencies more efficiently handle repetitive actions across large inventories and on a nationwide basis, and they can provide clarity for the specific treatment of undertakings.

More information on this effort is posted on the ACHP’s website:
https://www.achp.gov/program_alternatives/program_comment/PCs_2024.

Training:
Learn how you can participate in Section 106 reviews of undertakings with the potential to affect historic properties. Choose from classroom, webinar, and e-learning options taught by experienced ACHP staff involved in such reviews daily nationwide.
For the full schedule, course content information, and registration instructions, go to https://www.achp.gov/training/classroom.

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Forest Service

National Phasing Programmatic Agreement (Phasing NPA)
Annual Report, Monitoring Report, & Proposed Amendment
The Phasing NPA, executed on December 6, 2021, requires the Forest Service to develop an annual report with information about the use of the Phasing NPA. The annual report is now available for viewing. You may view it here or view it on the Phasing NPA webpage here.

Monitoring Period Report
The Phasing NPA established a 2-year monitoring provision, whereby the Forest Service invited comments on the effectiveness of the Phasing NPA and informational materials that have been developed to assist in its implementation through December 6, 2023. The second and last monitoring report is here and also available on the Phasing NPA webpage here.

Proposed Amendment Forthcoming
Following the result of the Phasing NPA’s first monitoring period in 2022, the Forest Service proposed three areas for minor technical amendments on the following topics: 1) Allow activities at 36 CFR § 220.6(d) to qualify for use of the Phasing NPA as long as such activities have a corresponding project or case file and decision memo developed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); 2) Allow Forest Service to accept non-written communications from HIP consulting parties who respond to HIP invitations to consult; and 3) Clarify the Tribal Signatory process to identify which Agency Official may accept a Tribal Signatory page. The Forest Service is gathering signatures to the amendment from Phasing NPA Signatories.
If you have any questions, please contact the Forest Service National Heritage Program via email at SM.FS.HeritAgrmnt2@usda.gov.

Training:
Learn how you can participate in Section 106 reviews of undertakings with the potential to affect historic properties. Choose from classroom, webinar, and e-learning options taught by experienced ACHP staff involved in such reviews daily nationwide. For the full schedule, course content information, and registration instructions, go to www.achp.gov/training/classroom.

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National Trust for Historic Preservation news

Webinar
Insuring Historic Properties Webinar
Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s July 16 webinar about what you need to know about the state of the insurance industry today, what is driving up costs, and what you may be able to do about it. Register today to: https://savingplaces.org/upcoming-webinars

National Preservation Law Conference in DC/Online
Preservation Law conference in DC or online on September 12 will provide an in-depth look into preservation law, highlighting the most recent and influential developments and attendees with the knowledge and skills to effectively advocate and champion key preservation issues. Register at: https://savingplaces.org/law-conference

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

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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:

West Susitna Access Road

Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:

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.

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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

2024

JULY

• July 9 - Virtual Historic Preservation Workshop, Office of History and Archaeology. Participatory historic preservation planning workshop. Featured speaker: Betsy Bradley, 1:30 PM - 3 PM. Free, To Register click on this link: Register for the workshop For Questions Contact: Maria Lewis at maria.lewis@alaska.gov or 907-269-8717
  
  

• July 16 - North Star Golden Days Luncheon, Preserving Alaska's Field of Dreams by State Historian Katie Ringsmuth, Fairbanks. Take a deeper look at Growden Memorial Ballpark and see how it is worthy of national historical recognition. Contact 907.374.6703 for more information. Northern Star Golden Days Luncheon with Katie Ringsmuth - Jul 16, 2024 - Page Layout Events - Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, AK
  
  

• July 16 - Insuring Historic Properties Webinar, National Trust for Historic Preservation, what you need to know about the state of the insurance industry today, what is driving up costs, and what you may be able to do about it. Register today to: https://savingplaces.org/upcoming-webinars
  
  

• July 18 - Advisory Council on Historic Preservation meeting, Kennedy Caucus Room (Room 325) of the Russell Senate Office Building, 2 Constitution Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook and the recording will be made available following the proceedings on the ACHP's YouTube Channel.
  
  

• 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
  
  

AUGUST

• August 12-16 - The 24th Annual NATHPO Conference will take place at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Register here and take advantage of early bird rates through April 30.
  
  

SEPTEMBER

• September 11-15 - Sharing Our Knowledge., Sitka, AK
  
  

• September 12 - Preservation Law conference in DC or online, National Trust for Historic Preservation. Register at: https://savingplaces.org/law-conference
  
  

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

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 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