Press Releases

Today, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández’s bill, H.R. 6589, the Historic Preservation Enhancement Act. The U.S. National Park Service announced its support for the legislation with amendments. Additionally, Mr. Reno Keoni Franklin, Chairman of the Kashia Pomo Tribe and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians, spoke in support of the legislation. 

This legislation will provide permanent authorization to the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and double its deposits to $300 million for each fiscal year. Additionally, it will make amounts in the HPF available for expenditure without further Congressional appropriations, providing certainty to preservation offices and programs across the country that rely on this critical funding. Further, greater funding for the Historic Preservation Fund is imperative to complete infrastructure projects - from broadband to road construction - that must comply with the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process. 

“My Historic Preservation Enhancement Act will provide additional funding and long-term certainty to enable state and tribal historic preservation officers to protect our herencia and facilitate infrastructure development. Simply, it will help us preserve places of struggle and perseverance across America. I voted for the Infrastructure Law to invest in clean water for our communities, broadband for our school children's education, telehealth and businesses, and roads so that our commerce can get to market, and supply chains can get unclogged. Funding for the Historic Preservation Fund is needed so we can get these projects built while also protecting our cultural and historic sites,” said Leger Fernández. “I am grateful for the support of the preservation community and to the Natural Resources Committee for holding this important hearing.” 

Watch the Congresswoman’s remarks HERE. 

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