Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing Tribal consultations on a revised draft of its Sec. 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Projects at DHS-Owned Facilities (Draft Sec. 106 NHPA NPA). DHS held two Information and Listening Sessions for Tribal Nations in October 2023 and accepted comments on a previous draft Sec. 106 NHPA NPA until December 1, 2023. DHS has provided a summary of comments received from Tribal Nations, inter-Tribal organizations and associations, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and State Historic Preservation Offices.
Based on comments received, DHS has produced a revised draft of its Sec. 106 NHPA NPA and has announced Tribal consultations and an open comment period. Details regarding the upcoming Tribal consultations are as follows—
Date/Time: Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm ET
Date/Time: Friday. February 16, 2024 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
On October 20, 2023, USET SPF submitted comments to DHS on its previous draft Sec. 106 NHPA NPA. In our comments we generally expressed support for the draft, but requested additional clarification in the NPA language on how DHS would determine when Tribal consultation must occur for the maintenance, repair, or upgrade of facilities for climate resiliency and sustainability. USET SPF also raised concerns regarding the protection of sensitive Indigenous Knowledge and how DHS intends to protect this Knowledge shared by Tribal Nations and our recognized spiritual, cultural, and religious leaders. USET SPF is currently reviewing the revised draft produced by DHS and will attend the upcoming Tribal consultations.
Comments on the revised draft of the Sec. 106 NHPA NPA are due by Tuesday, February 27, 2024
and can be submitted to sep-ephp@hq.dhs.gov. Questions should be directed to Sarah Koeppel, DHS Deputy Federal Preservation Officer, by emailing sarah.koeppel@hq.dhs.gov
or calling (202) 868-2759.
For more information, please contact Brian Howard, USET SPF Senior Policy Analyst, at bhoward@usetinc.org.
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