House duo introduce National Historic Preservation Amendments Act

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the National Historic Preservation Amendments Act of 2015 last week.

The bipartisan bill would extend the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which aids historic-preservation programs, for an additional 10 years. Turner has fought for more historic preservation funding for several years.

“Our Southwest Ohio community is steeped in American history, and it is home to multiple historic sites, including the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, which includes five National Historic Landmarks to commemorate the work of Orville and Wilbur Wright,” Turner said. “Historic preservation stimulates private investment, spurs economic growth, and creates jobs while revitalizing our communities and protecting our country’s cultural heritage.”

Turner’s 10th Congressional District in Ohio includes 205 registered historic sites, 44 registered historic districts and nine registered historic landmarks. The bill has been endorsed by a long list of co-sponsors, including Reps. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Chris Gibson (R-NY), Matthew Cartwright (D-PA), John Katko (R-NY), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Ralph Abraham (R-LA) and Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

“At the heart of every livable community is a sense of place and uniqueness,” added Blumenauer said. “The Historic Preservation Fund protects our most treasured sites. In supporting projects across the country — including my home state of Oregon — the Historic Preservation Fund has helped Americans remember our past as they look to the future. Passage of this bill will do much in protecting and restoring our historic resources.”

The HPF was created in 1976 and collects its operating funds via Outer Continental Shelf leases, not taxpayer dollars. In an effort to document, preserve and put America’s historic sites back in use, the HPF provides funds for state and tribal historic preservation officers.