CHAPTER 3061 - PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES
Title 54 > CHAPTER 3061
Sections (19)
§ 306101 Assumption of responsibility for preservation of historic property
(a) In General.— The head of each Federal agency shall assume responsibility for the preservation of historic property that is owned or controlled by the agency. Prior to acquiring, constructing, or leasing a building for purposes of carrying out agency responsibilities, a Federal agency shall use, to the maximum extent feasible, historic property available to the agency, in accordance with Executive Order No. 13006 ( 40 U.S.C. 3306 note). Each Federal agency shall undertake, consistent with the preservation of historic property, the mission of the agency, and the professional standards established pursuant to subsection (c), any preservation as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.
(b) Guidelines for Federal Agency Responsibility for Agency-Owned Historic Property.— In consultation with the Council, the Secretary shall promulgate guidelines for Federal agency responsibilities under this subchapter (except section 306108).
(c) Professional Standards for Preservation of Federally Owned or Controlled Historic Property.— The Secretary shall establish, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Administrator of General Services, professional standards for the preservation of historic property in Federal ownership or control.
§ 306102 Preservation program
(a) Establishment.— Each Federal agency shall establish (except for programs or undertakings exempted pursuant to section 304108(c) of this title ), in consultation with the Secretary, a preservation program for the identification, evaluation, and nomination to the National Register, and protection, of historic property.
(b) Requirements.— The program shall ensure that— historic property under the jurisdiction or control of the agency is identified, evaluated, and nominated to the National Register; historic property under the jurisdiction or control of the agency is managed and maintained in a way that considers the preservation of their historic, archeological, architectural, and cultural values in compliance with section 306108 of this title and gives special consideration to the preservation of those values in the case of property designated as having national significance; the preservation of property not under the jurisdiction or control of the agency but potentially affected by agency actions is given full consideration in planning; the agency’s preservation-related activities are carried out in consultation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations carrying out historic preservation planning activities, and the private sector; and the agency’s procedures for compliance with section 306108 of this title — are consistent with regulations promulgated by the Council pursuant to section 304108(a) and (b) of this title; provide a process for the identification and evaluation of historic property for listing on the National Register and the development and implementation of agreements, in consultation with State Historic Preservation Officers, local governments, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and the interested public, as appropriate, regarding the means by which adverse effects on historic property will be considered; and provide for the disposition of Native American cultural items from Federal or tribal land in a manner consistent with section 3(c) of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3002(c) ).
§ 306103 Recordation of historic property prior to alteration or demolition
Each Federal agency shall initiate measures to ensure that where, as a result of Federal action or assistance carried out by the agency, a historic property is to be substantially altered or demolished— timely steps are taken to make or have made appropriate records; and the records are deposited, in accordance with section 302107 of this title , in the Library of Congress or with such other appropriate agency as the Secretary may designate, for future use and reference. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3226 .)
§ 306104 Agency Preservation Officer
The head of each Federal agency (except an agency that is exempted under section 304108(c) of this title ) shall designate a qualified official as the agency’s Preservation Officer who shall be responsible for coordinating the agency’s activities under this division. Each Preservation Officer may, to be considered qualified, satisfactorily complete an appropriate training program established by the Secretary under section 306101(c) of this title . ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3226 .)
§ 306105 Agency programs and projects
Consistent with the agency’s missions and mandates, each Federal agency shall carry out agency programs and projects (including those under which any Federal assistance is provided or any Federal license, permit, or other approval is required) in accordance with the purposes of this division and give consideration to programs and projects that will further the purposes of this division. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3226 .)
§ 306106 Review of plans of transferees of surplus federally owned historic property
The Secretary shall review and approve the plans of transferees of surplus federally owned historic property not later than 90 days after receipt of the plans to ensure that the prehistorical, historical, architectural, or culturally significant values will be preserved or enhanced. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3226 .)
§ 306107 Planning and actions to minimize harm to National Historic Landmarks
Prior to the approval of any Federal undertaking that may directly and adversely affect any National Historic Landmark, the head of the responsible Federal agency shall to the maximum extent possible undertake such planning and actions as may be necessary to minimize harm to the landmark. The head of the Federal agency shall afford the Council a reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to the undertaking. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3226 .)
§ 306108 Effect of undertaking on historic property
The head of any Federal agency having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or federally assisted undertaking in any State and the head of any Federal department or independent agency having authority to license any undertaking, prior to the approval of the expenditure of any Federal funds on the undertaking or prior to the issuance of any license, shall take into account the effect of the undertaking on any historic property. The head of the Federal agency shall afford the Council a reasonable opportunity to comment with regard to the undertaking. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306109 Costs of preservation as eligible project costs
A Federal agency may include the costs of preservation activities of the agency under this division as eligible project costs in all undertakings of the agency or assisted by the agency. The eligible project costs may include amounts paid by a Federal agency to a State to be used in carrying out the preservation responsibilities of the Federal agency under this division, and reasonable costs may be charged to Federal licensees and permittees as a condition to the issuance of the license or permit. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306110 Annual preservation awards program
The Secretary shall establish an annual preservation awards program under which the Secretary may make monetary awards in amounts of not to exceed $1,000 and provide citations for special achievement to officers and employees of Federal, State, and certified local governments in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic property. The program may include the issuance of annual awards by the President to any citizen of the United States recommended for the award by the Secretary. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306111 Environmental impact statement
Nothing in this division shall be construed to— require the preparation of an environmental impact statement where the statement would not otherwise be required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); or provide any exemption from any requirement respecting the preparation of an environmental impact statement under that Act. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306112 Waiver of provisions in event of natural disaster or imminent threat to national security
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations under which the requirements of this subchapter (except section 306108) may be waived in whole or in part in the event of a major natural disaster or an imminent threat to national security. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306113 Anticipatory demolition
Each Federal agency shall ensure that the agency will not grant a loan, loan guarantee, permit, license, or other assistance to an applicant that, with intent to avoid the requirements of section 306108 of this title , has intentionally significantly adversely affected a historic property to which the grant would relate, or having legal power to prevent it, has allowed the significant adverse effect to occur, unless the agency, after consultation with the Council, determines that circumstances justify granting the assistance despite the adverse effect created or permitted by the applicant. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3227 .)
§ 306114 Documentation of decisions respecting undertakings
With respect to any undertaking subject to section 306108 of this title that adversely affects any historic property for which a Federal agency has not entered into an agreement pursuant to regulations issued by the Council, the head of the agency shall document any decision made pursuant to section 306108 of this title . The head of the agency may not delegate the responsibility to document a decision pursuant to this section. Where an agreement pursuant to regulations issued by the Council has been executed with respect to an undertaking, the agreement shall govern the undertaking and all of its parts. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3228 .)
§ 306121 Lease or exchange
(a) Authority To Lease or Exchange.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each Federal agency, after consultation with the Council— shall, to the extent practicable, establish and implement alternatives (including adaptive use) for historic property that is not needed for current or projected agency purposes; and may lease historic property owned by the agency to any person or organization, or exchange any property owned by the agency with comparable historic property, if the agency head determines that the lease or exchange will adequately ensure the preservation of the historic property.
(b) Proceeds of Lease.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proceeds of a lease under subsection (a) may be retained by the agency entering into the lease and used to defray the costs of administration, maintenance, repair, and related expenses incurred by the agency with respect to that property or other property that is on the National Register that is owned by, or are under the jurisdiction or control of, the agency. Any surplus proceeds from the leases shall be deposited in the Treasury at the end of the 2d fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received.
§ 306122 Contracts for management of historic property
The head of any Federal agency having responsibility for the management of any historic property may, after consultation with the Council, enter into a contract for the management of the property. The contract shall contain terms and conditions that the head of the agency considers necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the United States and ensure adequate preservation of the historic property. ( Pub. L. 113–287, § 3 , Dec. 19, 2014 , 128 Stat. 3228 .)
§ 306131 Standards and guidelines
(a) Standards.— Each Federal agency that is responsible for the protection of historic property (including archeological property) pursuant to this division or any other law shall ensure that— all actions taken by employees or contractors of the agency meet professional standards under regulations developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Council, other affected agencies, and the appropriate professional societies of archeology, architecture, conservation, history, landscape architecture, and planning; agency personnel or contractors responsible for historic property meet qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management in consultation with the Secretary and appropriate professional societies of archeology, architecture, conservation, curation, history, landscape architecture, and planning; and records and other data, including data produced by historical research and archeological surveys and excavations, are permanently maintained in appropriate databases and made available to potential users pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary shall promulgate. The standards referred to in paragraph (1)(B) shall consider the particular skills and expertise needed for the preservation of historic property and shall be equivalent requirements for the disciplines involved. The Office of Personnel Management shall revise qualification standards for the disciplines involved.
(b) Guidelines.— To promote the preservation of historic property eligible for listing on the National Register, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Council, promulgate guidelines to ensure that Federal, State, and tribal historic preservation programs subject to this division include plans to— provide information to the owners of historic property (including architectural, curatorial, and archeological property) with demonstrated or likely research significance, about the need for protection of the historic property, and the available means of protection; encourage owners to preserve historic property intact and in place and offer the owners of historic property information on the tax and grant assistance available for the donation of the historic property or of a preservation easement of the historic property; encourage the protection of Native American cultural items (within the meaning of section 2 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3001 )) and of property of religious or cultural importance to Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or other Native American groups; and encourage owners that are undertaking archeological excavations to— conduct excavations and analyses that meet standards for federally-sponsored excavations established by the Secretary; donate or lend artifacts of research significance to an appropriate research institution; allow access to artifacts for research purposes; and prior to excavating or disposing of a Native American cultural item in which an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization may have an interest under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 3(a)(2) of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3002(a)(2)(B) , (C)), give notice to and consult with the Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
§ 306141 Application of certain authorities and standards to historic military housing and associated historic properties of the Department of the Army
(a) Application of Certain Authority to Capehart and Wherry Era Army Military Family Housing.— The Secretary of the Army, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled “Program Comment for Capehart and Wherry Era Army Family Housing and Associated Structures and Landscape Features (1949–1962)” (published on June 7, 2002 ) (67 Fed. Reg. 39332) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the period beginning on January 1, 1941 , and ending on December 31, 1948 , located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army.
(b) Temporary Application of Certain Authority to Vietnam War Era Army Military Housing.— During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Military Construction Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (division B of Public Law 118–159 ) and ending on December 31, 2045 , the Secretary of the Army, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled “Program 1 Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975)” (published on May 4, 2023 ) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed after 1975 located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army.
(c) Report.— As part of each report of the Army required under section 3(c) of Executive Order 13287 ( 54 U.S.C. 306101 note), the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a report on the implementation of this section.
(d) Rule of Construction.— Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude or require the amendment of the documents of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment described in subsection 2 (a) and (b) by the Secretary of the Army or the chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
§ 306142 Application of certain authorities and standards to historic military housing and associated historic properties of the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Air Force
(a) Application of Certain Authority to Navy and Air Force Military Family Housing.— The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the documents titled “Department 1 of the Army Program Comment for the Preservation of Pre-1919 Historic Army Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features” (published on June 13, 2024 ) (89 Fed. Reg. 50350), “Department 1 of the Army Program Comment for Inter-War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1919–1940)” (published on October 13, 2020 ) (85 Fed. Reg. 64491), and “Department 1 of the Army Program Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975)” (published on May 4, 2023 ) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the applicable periods.
(b) Application of Certain Authority to Inter-war Era Historic Housing.— The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled “Department 1 of the Army Program Comment for Inter-War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1919–1940)” (published on October 13, 2020 ) (85 Fed. Reg. 64491) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed during the period beginning on January 1, 1941 , and ending on December 31, 1948 , located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Air Force.
(c) Temporary Application of Certain Authority to Vietnam War Era Navy and Air Force Military Housing.— During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and ending on December 31, 2045 , the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force, in satisfaction of requirements under this division, may apply the authority and standards contained in the document titled “Department 1 of the Army Program Comment for Vietnam War Era Historic Housing, Associated Buildings and Structures, and Landscape Features (1963–1975)” (published on May 4, 2023 ) (88 Fed. Reg. 28573) to all military housing (including privatized military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10) constructed after 1975 located on a military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy or the Secretary of the Air Force.