What: proposed amendments to the implementing regulations for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, released in July by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and under federal regulatory review.
Where it stands: An informational item only. Staff said the changes do not affect the Commission's review or the local historic preservation code, but could affect city projects with federal funding and projects where the City is a consulting party. The public comment period had not yet opened.
Next: A citizen petition asking Council to oppose the changes is expected on a future agenda starting November 17; once opened, the federal comment period is described as 30 days.
Details
Built from the auto-generated captions of the October 21 meeting; names and numbers may be misheard. No minutes are posted.
A member summarized the changes using a national preservation group's summary (less duty to avoid or minimize harm, reduced consultation with state, local and tribal governments, and optional public comment). Another member noted a separate congressional bill with similar effects expected to be voted on in early November.
Discussion and information item with a 20-minute limit, no action. Staff stressed the changes are federal and do not touch the local code. About a third of the city's boundary lies on or within the Coconino National Forest, so projects there could be affected. Members encouraged residents to comment and to contact their congressional representatives.