Heritage Newsletter
Monthly news update from the Office of History and Archaeology
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
March-April 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
◇ Office of History and Archaeology
◇ Federal Legislation
◇ National Park Service
◇ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
◇ National Trust for Historic Preservation
◇ National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
◇ Public project alerts
◇ Heritage subscription information
◇ Preservation calendar
Office of History and Archaeology news
The Alaska Historical Commission met April 3. The Commission recommended funding for seven Certified Local Government grants from Anchorage, Mat- Su Borough, Seward, Sitka and Ketchikan. The grant recommendations have been submitted to the SHPO for consideration. Final grant award decisions will be made and applicants will be notified in early May.
In April, Governor Dunleavey appointed Joan Skilbred, Fairbanks, Alaska, to the Alaska Historical Commission. Congratulations Joan!
The Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) Survey Unit is recruiting for a permanent Archaeologist 1/2 position. The survey unit conducts cultural resource surveys for state and federal project sponsors across all of Alaska. This unit conducts cultural resource surveys for both state and federal project sponsors across Alaska—ranging from remote backcountry expeditions in the rugged interior to accessible front-country investigations in State Park units. This Anchorage-based position includes seasonal field travel.
The posting is live from April 8 through April 22, 2025 (5:00 pm).
Apply here:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/jobs/newprint/4900495
The Office of History and Archaeology is also recruiting for a permanent Historian 1 position. The position will work with the historic preservation and public education programs in the Office of History and Archaeology/ State Historic Preservation Office. The posting is live from April 16 through May 7, 2025 (5:00 pm). Job Bulletin
Enacted Historic Preservation Fund budget, FFY25
|
FY 2024 |
FY2025 |
FY2026 |
FY2026 |
Admin |
State Historic Preservation |
$62.15 |
$62.15 |
|
|
|
Tribal Historic Preservation |
23.0 |
23.0 |
|
|
|
Underrepresented Communities |
1.25 |
1.25 |
Not |
Yet |
Proposed |
Civil Rights African-American |
24.0 |
24.0 |
|
|
|
History of Equal rights |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
|
|
Historic Black Colleges |
11.0 |
11.0 |
|
|
|
Save America's Treasures |
25.5 |
25.5 |
|
|
|
Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization |
10.0 |
10.0 |
|
|
|
Semiquincentennial Sites |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
|
|
Tribal Heritage Grants (new category) |
- |
- |
|
|
|
Congressionally Directed HPF projects |
19.766 |
0.0 |
|
|
|
TOTALS |
$188.666 |
$168.900 |
|
|
|
* Figures are in millions. |
|
Tax Credit Legislation Introduced
Bipartisan tax credit legislation was recently introduced in the Senate and House. The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 2410), introduced by Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), would create a new 20% tax incentive, modeled after the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), to convert older commercial properties and office space into affordable housing.
A new version of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) was recently introduced by Sen. Cassidy (R-LA)/Sen. Warner (D-VA) in the Senate (S. 1459). New provisions include returning to a one-year delivery of the HTC, as well as a boost from 20% to 30% in credit and the ability to transfer credits for smaller and rural projects. Now that Congress has passed a budget resolution, the House Ways and Means Committee could pass a tax bill out of committee by early May.
The Department of Interior, which includes the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies, is currently working on a massive reorganization. The reorganization is expected to consolidate a range of operations at Interior and across agencies including communications, financial management, contracting, human resources, grants, civil rights, and IT functions. More details about the reorganization plans are expected in the next couple of weeks.
National Park Service
Training
The National Park Service is hosting a training webinar on building codes and historic buildings for property owners, architects, developers, consultants, local landmark commissions, and the general public on May 2 and May 21 at 2 pm ET.
The training will focus on Preservation Brief 51: Building Codes for Historic and Existing Buildings: Planning and Maximizing their Application, issued in June 2024, and will, among other things, highlight alternative compliance methods available under model building codes for historic and existing buildings that can provide more flexible and less costly alternatives to meet state and local code requirements.
Preservation Brief 51 discusses how to meet the goals of building codes while preserving or minimizing alterations to the character-defining features, spaces, materials, and finishes of historic buildings. It also provides guidance for selecting the optimal code compliance method and suggests best practices for achieving code-compliant solutions that also allow for the preservation of a building’s historic character.
Marilyn E. Kaplan, Architect, FAPT, author of the Brief, and Technical Preservation Services staff will present the webinar.
The NPS is offering the same webinar on two different dates for increased attendance opportunity. Registration is free and open to the public – please select one of the dates and use the registration links below. The webinar will be recorded and made available online in the future.
Register for the May 2, 2025, webinar:
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_wSyhM7ptSH-l88wVXavpIQ
Register for the May 21, 2025, webinar:
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_G1ulmevbT2O6VVwtez_MAg
The recorded training webinar on the use of substitute materials on historic buildings exteriors is now available on demand on the TPS website. Presented by Technical Preservation Services staff in 2024, the webinar on the use of substitute materials, discusses Preservation Brief 16: The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors and other revised information on the application and interpretation of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, including considerations for the appropriate use of substitute materials and case-study examples.
The Preservation Brief, published in October 2023, provides a framework for evaluating when a different material than the historic one may be appropriately used to replace a deteriorated or missing historic feature, consistent with the Standards, as well as technical preservation information about materials commonly considered for use as a substitute material in the context of a historic rehabilitation project.
The information on the use of substitute materials was updated to be more consistent with other NPS guidance and information and to ensure that it continues to reflect current and best practices. The revised information takes into account such factors as availability, performance, location/visibility, code requirements, cost, and resilience of the proposed new and historic materials or features. The information continues to recognize that flexibility may be needed when it comes to new and replacement materials as part of a historic rehabilitation project.
The webinar is available on the TPS website (see On Demand Training).
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency in regard to the availability of domestic energy resources and production. In accordance with Section 2(a) of the Executive Order, the ACHP has identified existing emergency provisions in the Section 106 regulations that federal agencies may follow for any proposed undertaking that falls within the scope of the Executive Order. Please visit the ACHP’s dedicated webpage regarding the Executive Order and the Section 106 emergency provisions. Frequently Asked Questions found there will be updated regularly.
ACHP announces that three of their eLearning courses are now back online! These include What is Section 106?; What Now? Protecting Historic Properties During Disaster Response; and Section 304 and Confidentiality. Visit the eLearning course webpage to check out these updated courses. Additional courses will be made available in the coming weeks.
In person Alaska training:
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
National Trust for Historic Preservation news
The National Trust recently awarded $179,250 in grant funding to 27 organizations nationwide, including one in Alaska. Ketchikan Pioneer Way Association, Ketchikan, Alaska, received $5,000 for "Pioneer Alley Design Development".
- April 25: Diversity in Preservation Scholarship Program for PastForward 2025
- May 1: Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
- June 2: National Trust Preservation Funds
- June 2: Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund
- June 2: Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Registration is now open for NATHPO's 25th Annual Conference, happening September 8-12, 2025, at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV! Visit NATHPO's website HERE to get details and claim your spot at NATHPO's 25th Annual Conference. There is also a block of rooms at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino for $138 per night, a link to which you can access from the Registration Page. Due to limited availability, this year's conference registrations will be capped at 250. Secure your 25th Conference Registrations and lodging today!
Interested in presenting? NATHPO invites you to share your knowledge and experiences in Tribal historic and cultural preservation by presenting to our annual conference. As always, sessions and presentations on all relevant topics are welcome. This year's theme is "Upholding Tribal Sovereignty: Protecting Native Places in a Shifting Landscape." We encourage you to think about how your proposed topic is related to the conference theme. You can find more details about submitting a presentation proposal on our website and in the attached form. Proposals are due no later than June 6, 2025.
Public Projects Alert
Section 106 large project consultation in progress:
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
Iditarod National Historic Trail Comprehensive Trail Plan Revision, BLM
Cook Inlet LNG
Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:
West Susitna Access Road, DOT&PF
Programmatic Agreement
Harbor Mountain, USFS
Memorandum of Agreement
USFS Heritage Program
Amendment 4, Region 10 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.
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
2025
MAY
-
May 14-17 - The Vernacular Architecture Forum. Annual Meeting, Wilmington, Delaware
-
May 1-31 - Historic Preservation Month, sponsored by National Trust for Historic Preservation. Theme: Harnessing the Power of Place. For information, digital marketing kit and free GIF stickers go to https://savingplaces.org/stories/preservation-month-2025
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
Mission Statement
"The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provide programs to encourage the preservation and protection of the archaeological, historic, and architectural resources of Alaska."
