National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Amendments Opposition

At a glance

• What: Proposed amendments to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Status: Town authorized to join opposition coalition and send letter to federal delegation October 14, 2026.
• Next: Letter sent to Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Keating opposing the legislation.

Issue

Brooke Mohr introduced the item, explaining that proposed amendments would "gut" the National Historic Preservation Act and leave places like Nantucket open to projects such as offshore wind without protection of historic assets.

Holly Backus, Town Preservation Planner, spoke on the importance of the Act and urged the Board to join the coalition being compiled by the Town's special counsel for offshore wind issues, Cultural Heritage Partners (CHP), and send a letter to the Congressional delegation.

Decision (October 14, 2026)

Brooke Mohr moved to authorize the Town to:

1. Join the coalition opposing the amendments
2. Send a letter to Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Keating opposing the legislation
3. Ask local cultural organizations to join the coalition as well

Matt Fee seconded; all five members voted yes.

Sources

• Select Board meeting minutes, October 14, 2026: https://nantucketma.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=37566,plaintext=false)

Log

2026-10-14 - Select Board

Town authorized to join opposition coalition and send letter to federal delegation (Senators Markey and Warren, Congressman Keating) opposing Section 106 amendments; approved 5-0.