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Office of History and Archaeology news

Continuing in 2023, the Office of History and Archaeology is hosting a series of virtual sessions on various aspects of historic preservation. The first 2023 presentation will be January 26 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Sarah Meitl, M.A., will lead an introductory presentation about the Alaska Historic Preservation Act. The presentation will walk through major components of the law, including answers to common questions received by the Office of History and Archaeology.

Registration is required! To register, email to dnr.oha@alaska.gov and mention this presentation.

OHA will be recruiting for positions in early 2023. Check Workplace Alaska regularly for open recruitments.

COVID 19 Adjustments
OHA employees are working on 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

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Federal Legislation news

Congress passed the omnibus spending bill on December 23rd, appropriating $204,515,000 for the Historic Preservation Fund for Fiscal Year 2023. HPF funding includes State Historic Preservation Offices $62.15 million (increase of $4.475 million), Tribes $23 million (increase of $7 million), Underrepresented communities grants $1.2 million, Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grants $12.5 million, African American Civil Rights grants $24 million, History of Equal Rights grants $5 million, Save American Treasures $26.5 million, 250th Anniversary grants $10 million, and Congressionally Directed HPF projects $29 million.

On December 21, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act (S. 1471/H.R. 2930). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation strengthens laws aimed at preventing trafficking in Native American cultural items and facilitates the voluntary return of sacred and cultural objects.

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Department of Interior news

NPS Grant opportunities:

During the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce outlined a series of new steps to increase and strengthen Tribal participation in the management and stewardship of federal lands and waters. Since Secretary Deb Haaland and Secretary Tom Vilsack signed Joint Secretary's Order 3403 in 2021 committing to Tribal and federal co-stewardship of federal lands, waters and wildlife, the Interior Department and Forest Service have signed over 20 new co-stewardship agreements with Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and consortiums, with more than 60 additional agreements under various stages of review.

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National Park Service news

Bulletin 38 Traditional Cultural Places
National Park Service has published a revised Bulletin 38 (Traditional Cultural Places) and is inviting comments through April 30, 2023.

NPS Grant opportunities:
Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program
The National Park Service is now accepting applications for the FY2022 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants program that provides recipients (referred to as prime grantees) with a single grant that is then regranted in smaller amounts to individual projects (subgrants) in rural communities. Prime grantees design and administer subgrant programs that support economic development goals and needs through physical preservation projects in their chosen service area. It is up to the prime grantee to determine what types of buildings and community resources will be eligible for subgrants.

• Eligible applicants include State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and non-profit organizations
• Eligible subgrant properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or determined eligible for listing at the National, State, or local level of significance
• Subgrant properties must be located within rural (non-urban) communities with populations less than 50,000 according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
• Prime grantees cannot use grant funds for their own properties or submit applications for individual buildings or pre-selected projects

Congress appropriated $10,000,000 for the FY2022 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program. Individual grants will range from $200,000 - $750,000 Federal Share and do not require non-Federal match. Grants are awarded through a competitive process using the criteria described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity available on grants.gov under opportunity number P22AP00457.
Applications are due February 7, 2023. All applications must be made through Grants.gov. No paper applications will be accepted. Registration in Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and other federal systems can take up to four weeks, so please start early.

[Apply to Rural]

Tribal Heritage Grant Program

The National Park Service's Tribal Heritage Grants Program (THG) is now accepting applications for competitive grants. National Park Service's Tribal Heritage Grants Program focuses on protecting oral histories, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and enabling the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices. The THG Program is funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and is administered by the NPS. Approximately $500,000 is available for the THG Program in FY2022.
Applications are due March 29, 2023. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match. Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, Native Alaska Villages/Corporations (Tribal Governments), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (as defined by 54 U.S.C. § 300309, 54 U.S.C. 300313, and 54 U.S.C. 300314) are eligible to receive THGs for cultural and historic preservation projects. More information and applications for the THG Program via Grants.gov P22AS00460.

[Apply to THG]

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Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news

The U.S. Senate voted by unanimous consent on December 22, 2022, to confirm Professor Sara C. Bronin of Connecticut as chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), following her nomination by President Joe Biden. Once sworn in, Bronin will lead the ACHP. The agency has operated under the oversight of its vice chairman, Jordan Tannenbaum, since June 2021.

"I am grateful to President Biden and the Senate for the incredible opportunity to lead the ACHP," Bronin said. "Historic, tribal, and cultural resources connect us with our past, while offering a chance to shape our future. That is why preservationists must engage in current debates about energy policy, climate resilience, housing development, transportation infrastructure, tribal sovereignty, and the tax system. "As chair, I hope to work with the agency's experienced and knowledgeable staff to continue the ACHP's involvement in these key issues, bringing a spirit of innovation, a commitment to inclusion, and a sense of deep responsibility to generations to come."

Bronin is a Mexican American architect, attorney, and policymaker specializing in historic preservation, property, land use, and climate change. She is a tenured professor at Cornell University, with appointments in the Department of City and Regional Planning, the Rubacha Department of Real Estate, the Cornell Law School, and the Department of Architecture, and she is a Fellow of the Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Among her scholarly projects, she founded and directs the National Zoning Atlas, a multi-institutional effort to unlock research on the approximately 30,000 zoning codes that shape the American economy and society.

Active in public service, Bronin chaired Preservation Connecticut, served on the board of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, and served as an advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She also founded Desegregate Connecticut, led an award-winning overhaul of Hartford's zoning code, and served as an advisor for the Sustainable Development Code. Bronin holds degrees from the University of Texas, University of Oxford, and Yale Law School. The chair serves a term concurrent with the term of the sitting President.

Training:
The ACHP's Preserve the Past, Build for the Future webinar series is back in 2023. 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.

The ACHP extended FEMA COVID pandemic emergency procedures through April 30, 2023. For more information go to ACHP's website at achp.gov.

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National Endowment for the Humanities news

The NEH Division of Preservation and Access offers grants of up to $10,000 for preservation assistance for small and mid-sized institutions. The grant provides funding for preservation assessment, planning, supplies, and professional development. Organizations or collections that represent the contributions of underrepresented communities are encouraged. Learn more. Collections may include special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic artifacts, furniture, historical objects, and digital materials. Deadline to apply for funding: January 12, 2023

Corps of Engineers news
The Corps of Engineers recently announced its intention to rescind Appendix C, which it has historically used for actions affecting historic properties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. During previously held webinars on this topic, the fairly unified opinion was that Appendix C should be rescinded, as well as highlighted its questionable legality - not being a valid Program Alternative to Section 106 and having not gone through an ACHP or SHPO consultation process. Appendix C procedures have proved problematic for decades by narrowly defining undertakings, minimizing the Area of Potential Effects, and limiting consultation with Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and other consulting parties. The Appendix C procedures have also been applied inconsistently, undermining the USACE's ability to reliably steward America's heritage. A number of things need to happen prior to the final recission. A notice will be published in the Federal Register by the USACE, which will trigger a 60-day comment period. Once the comment period closes, USACE will consider the comments, before issuing a final decision of rescinding Appendix C. Should that final decision be made to rescind, a Final Rulemaking would be published via the Federal Register. ACHP estimates this process could take up to a year.

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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.

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:

West Susitna Access Road

Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:

Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center Rehabilitation

Programmatic Agreement

Glenn Highway Corridor

Programmatic Agreement

Sterling Highway MP 45-60

Data Recovery Plan
Programmatic Agreement 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.

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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

2023

FEBRUARY

• February 13-17 23rd Annual NATHPO Conference, hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in Cherokee, NC. Theme: Voices of Truth Our Knowledge, Our Power. 23rd Annual NATHPO Conference
  
  

MARCH

• March 6-8 Historic Preservation Advocacy Week. Washington D.C., for more information go to preservationaction.org
  
  

• March 13-16 Historic Preservation Advocacy Week. Washington D.C., for more information go to preservationaction.org
  
  

SEPTEMBER

• September 6-9 AASLH Annual Conference, Boise, Idaho. 2023 Annual Conference Session Proposal Deadline Approaching: Accepting session proposals for the 2023 conference. The deadline is Friday, December 9. Learn more about the conference and submit a session proposal.
  
  

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