Bonus: America's Historic Places at Risk - A U.S. Preservation Alert

U.S. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALERT — NOVEMBER 9 DEADLINE

The Short Version:

Proposed changes to a federal preservation rule, Section 106, could put important historic and cultural places across the United States at risk.

Right now, Section 106 gives YOU a chance to speak up when the federal government plans or helps pay for projects that could damage or destroy places important to your community. The proposed changes could take away that opportunity.

Native American Tribes could also lose important protections that help them speak up for their sacred sites, burial grounds, and other places connected to their history and traditions.

Cell towers, highways, and the demolition of historically significant buildings and neighborhoods are just a few projects that can trigger a Section 106 review. You shouldn't have to wait until the bulldozers arrive to discover that your community never had a chance to speak up.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

Call your representatives and tell them you support Section 106 and the National Historic Preservation Act.

• Download the 5Calls App or visit https://5calls.org/issue/bipartisan-affordability-and-jobs-act
• FYI: The issue is buried within "Oppose Harmful Provisions in the Bipartisan Affordability and Jobs Act." So, you may have to search for it on the app.
• Enter your zip code to find your representatives and a script you can use when you call.
• Also visit https://106strong.com to learn more.

The Long Version:

A federal review process called Section 106 has helped give communities a voice in decisions affecting historic buildings, neighborhoods, archaeological sites, Native American burial grounds and sacred sites, and places important to communities whose histories have too often been overlooked.

Now, proposed changes could significantly weaken that process and remove YOUR voice from the discussion.

In this special edition of True Tales From Old Houses, two preservation experts explain what's happening, why Section 106 matters, and what we stand to lose if the proposed changes move forward.

We break down what Section 106 actually does, how the proposed changes could affect communities across the country, and what you can do before the *November 9 deadline.*

You don't need to own an old house, work in preservation, or know anything about federal regulations to care about this issue. These places tell America's stories. Today's decisions could affect how those stories are protected for generations to come.

The deadline is November 9. Download the 5Calls App or visit https://5calls.org/issue/bipartisan-affordability-and-jobs-act to make your voice heard. Learn more at https://106strong.com.

Thank you for listening to True Tales From Old Houses.

Until next time,