Heritage Newsletter
Monthly news update from the Office of History and Archaeology
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
February-March 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
◇ Office of History and Archaeology
◇ Federal Legislation
◇ National Park Service
◇ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
◇ National Trust for Historic Preservation
◇ National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
◇ Public project alerts
◇ Heritage subscription information
◇ Preservation calendar
Office of History and Archaeology news
2024 OHA/SHPO Workshop
OHA/SHPO is hosting a hybrid in-personand virtual option via Teams all-day workshop at the BP Energy Center, Anchorage, AK on April 5, 2024. It will be the first in-person workshop since 2019. Meet and reconnect with OHA/SHPO staff. Network with representatives from federal and state agencies, local governments, Tribes, and other cultural resource professionals. Topics will include:
- Program updates from OHA/SHPO
- Revising the State Historic Preservation Plan,
- Updated guidance documents with Q&A,
- Updates and future plans for the AHRSPortal, and
- Collaborative projects.
Keynote speaker: Dr. Pat Druckenmiller, University of Alaska Museum of the North, has agreed to present on paleontology in Alaska with an emphasis on what to do if your project encounters or discovers fossils. Registration link for the April 5 workshop: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Those who plan to attend can prepay for a catered lunch option. The lunch order link is available on the registration page. Must order by April 2.
April 18th Webinar: Office of History and Archaeology is hosting a webinar April 18th. 1pm- 3pm, "OHA Historic Preservation Series Archaeological Guidance – An Update" presented by OHA archaeologist staff.
To register, email to dnr.oha@alaska.gov and mention this presentation.
SCRIP Permits: For cultural resource specialists preparing for the 2024 field season, keep an eye on our website in the coming weeks for the 2024 update to the State Cultural Resource Investigation Permit (SCRIP) Stipulations and Stipulation Instructions.
Website where SCRIP updates will be: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/archsurv/permitinvestigate.htm
Contact Us
OHA employees are working a hybrid schedule. This means that correspondence, phone calls, and the processing of invoices/payments may be delayed.
While the Office of History and Archaeology staff are working remotely, we recommend people contact staff by email. If you have a general inquiry, a project for review, or state cultural resources investigation permit application please use one of the following email addresses:
General inquiry, geographic names, Alaska Historical Commission, etc.: dnr.oha@alaska.gov
Review/compliance, Section 106, project review: oha.revcomp@alaska.gov
State Cultural Resource Investigation Permits: oha.permits@alaska.gov
Alaska Heritage Resource Survey access, renewals, or submissions: oha.ibs@alaska.gov
Congress passed a "Minibus" spending package for FY2024 on March 8. The package of (6) bills included the Department of Interior bill containing funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. The bill provides for $188.666 million for the HPF as follows:
$62.15 million for State Historic Preservation Offices (equal to FY23)
$25.5 million for Save America's Treasures ($1m below FY23)
$24 million for the African American Civil Rights grant program (equal to FY23)
$23 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (equal to FY23)
$11 million for HBCU preservation grants (equal to FY23)
$10 million for Paul Bruhn grants ($2.5m below FY23)
$7 million for the Semiquincentennial grant program ($3m below FY23)
$5 million for the History of Equal Rights Grant program (equal to FY23)
$1.25 million for Underrepresented Communities Grants (equal to FY23)
$19.76 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for HPF Projects ($9.349m below FY23)
FY 2024 HPF appropriations reflect a decrease of $15.849 million from the prior appropriation cycle. The Interior Appropriations bill this year included a provision to reauthorize the HPF program through the end of September 2024.
TCP Bulletin 38: The NPS invites comments on the Draft TCP Bulletin, available for download on the NPS website. The Draft TCP Bulletin provides guidance for nominating buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts significant for their role in traditional communities' traditional customs, beliefs, and practices. The Draft TCP Bulletin, dated November 6, 2023, responds to comments and concerns expressed through correspondence received by the National Park Service. Comments may be submitted via the NPS website. The deadline for submitting comments is March 25, 2024.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation news
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Chair Sara C. Bronin announced in March her approval of the Amended Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects. The amendment was requested by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The purpose of the amendment is to assist federal agencies in efficiently permitting and approving the deployment of wired and wireless next generation technologies of communications infrastructure, including 5G, to connect all communities with reliable, high-speed Internet. The Program Comment provides an alternative way for federal agencies to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to take into account the effects of undertakings under its scope on historic properties and afford the ACHP a reasonable opportunity to comment on them.
Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (achp.gov)
Training:
The ACHP's Preserve the Past, Build for the Future webinar series is back in 2024. The series is geared toward college students and those interested in historic preservation. The five-part webinar series features speakers and question and answer sessions. Register here.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is offering digital classrooms for their Section 106 courses: The Section 106 Essentials and Section 106 Agreements Seminar. They will use Zoomgov.com. To learn more and register, go to www.achp.gov/training/classroom.
National Trust for Historic Preservation news
National Trust Preservation Funds Grant Program: Accepting Applications
The National Trust invites you to save the historic places within our community and participate in the National Trust Preservation Funds grant program. This annual program supports local preservation organizations' efforts to preserve and protect important places in their communities.
Funding ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 and supports preservation planning and educational projects. The next deadlines are June and October.
The National Trust just launched the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program providing up to $50,000 in funding to restaurants across the United States. Applications are due March 25.
What historic restaurant should get $50,000?! Nominate the place you love that contributes to your neighborhood's unique identity for the Backing Historic Small Restaurant Grant Program!
A program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation with support from American Express, Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program helps restaurants address critical needs amid ongoing economic challenges.
What are the cozy cafes, delicious dives, and other restaurants you love that contribute to their neighborhood's unique history and identity?
Share your favorites.
Tell the story about a small or independently owned restaurant located in a historic or older building or neighborhood that:
- Contributes to the history and/or identity of its surrounding community or neighborhood.
- Tells an inclusive story about cuisine and community in America (such as historic or ethnic food ways or culinary heritage).
- Has a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or cultural significance.
- Has been disproportionately impacted by economic challenges, disasters, or other hardships.
Nominate your favorite place today by March 25. https://savingplaces.org/historicrestaurants
Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund grants (up to $2,500) for travel costs and mentor honoraria are available for Organization Level Forum or Main Street America members of the National Trust. The purpose of these grants is to support the leadership and effectiveness of staff and board members of preservation organizations through individualized mentoring and the sharing of expertise. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. For more information go to forum@savingplaces.org
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
NATHPO invites tribes and native organizations to stay current on important happenings using their new Calendar of Events. They have job listings, Community Job Board, and listing of relevant Grant Opportunities.
Public Projects Alert
Section 106 large project consultation in progress:
West Susitna Access Road
Review and compliance agreement development for large projects in progress:
BLM ANCSA 17(d)(1) Withdrawal revocation
Draft EIS and Programmatic Agreement
Alaska Highway WWII Bridges
Programmatic Agreement
Alaska FiberOptic Project: Fort Yukon, Beaver, Stevens Village, Rampart, and Tanana
Programmatic Agreement
Glenn Highway Corridor
Programmatic Agreement
Sterling Highway MP 45-60
Data Recovery Plan Amendment
USFS Sustainable Cabins
Programmatic Agreement
NPS Kennecott Maintenance and Operations
Programmatic Agreement Amendment
NPS Climate Change at Dyea
Programmatic Agreement
BLM Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Program
Programmatic Agreement Amendment
Ambler Industrial Access Road
Programmatic Agreement Amendment
For information on how to participate in the process, or on how to review and comment on the above projects, contact Sarah Meitl, sarah.meitl@alaska.gov.
Heritage Subscription Information
Heritage is produced by the Office of History and Archaeology, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Please send your comments, suggestions, and information by e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov, mail to 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1310, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3565, or telephone 907.269.8700.
All issues are posted to our web site at dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha and distributed to subscribers by e-mail. A paper copy can be sent to individuals and organizations that specifically request it.
To be added to the subscription list, please send an e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov with "Heritage, subscribe" in the subject line.
If you do not wish to continue to receive Heritage, please send an e-mail to dnr.oha@alaska.gov with "Heritage, unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Preservation Calendar
2024
APRIL
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April 5 - OHA/SHPO in-person workshop. BP Energy Center, Anchorage, AK. Save the date. Content and schedule are under development. Be on the lookout for more information in future newsletters.
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April 18 - OHA online Education Series, 1pm- 3pm, "OHA Historic Preservation Series Archaeological Guidance – An Update" presented by OHA archaeologist staff.
To register, email to dnr.oha@alaska.gov and mention this presentation.
This session will be offered through Teams.
To register, email to dnr.oha@alaska.gov and mention this presentation.
JULY
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July 31- August 4 - National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), NAPC FORUM 2024, West Palm Beach, FL., Save the Date. National conference focused on issues facing local historic preservation commissions. NAPC FORUM
AUGUST
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August 12-16 - The 24th Annual NATHPO Conference will take place at the Ho-Chunk Gaming Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Register here and take advantage of early bird rates through April 30.
SEPTEMBER
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September 25-28 - Museums Alaska Conference, theme Building Community, Fairbanks, AK. For more information email director@museumsalaska.org
OCTOBER
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October 9-12 - Alaska Historical Society annual meeting, Cordova. SavingPlaces.org
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October 28-30 - PastForward, National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference, New Orleans. Conference programing proposals and nominations for National Preservation Awards due January 12, 2024. SavingPlaces.org
NOVEMBER
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November 13-14 - Cultural Landscapes: An Introduction, National Preservation Institute Workshop. Learn more at npi.org or contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org. SavingPlaces.org
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November 15 - Cultural Landscapes: Advanced Tools for Managing Change, National Preservation Institute Workshop. Learn more at npi.org or contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org. SavingPlaces.org
National Preservation Institute provides continuing education and professional training in historic preservation and cultural resource management throughout the year. For training options go to: www.npi.org For information contact Jere Gibber, Executive Director, info@npi.org
Mission Statement
"The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provide programs to encourage the preservation and protection of the archaeological, historic, and architectural resources of Alaska."
