Since the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, the federal government has been mandated “to be a good steward in managing the historic resources under its administration.” A large number of federal agencies are responsible for multiple use public lands, national parks, and military installations. Together, they own thousands of archeological sites, historic structures, and millions of historic artifacts and documents that comprise U.S. history and culture. Lack of leadership and funding, along with conflicting priorities, hinder the agencies’ abilities to meet their legislative mandates. In fact, not one federal agency has fully complied with the mandates of the NHPA to fully survey their resources and devise plans to preserve them. This ACHP report is the result of a two year analysis of how the federal government can improve its care of historic resources. This is the first and most thorough report on the stewardship challenges facing federal agencies entrusted with caring for historical and cultural property on behalf of the American people.

The Advisory Council’s findings substantiate the value of placing historic preservation policies under federal stewardship. “Federal historic resources are valuable public assets,” the report states, and “much progress has been made by Federal agencies in caring for and preserving these resources over the last 30 years, but chronic problems exist.” The problems identified by the Advisory Council stem from inadequate resources, lack of integration of historic preservation into the greater mission of the agency, and the need for improved communication and collaboration with other public and private partners. The Council assessed that only through mobilization of the federal government’s full capacities will the vast array of irreplaceable historic resources be secured for future generations. [p. 1]

Since the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, the federal government has been mandated “to be a good steward in managing the historic resources under its administration.” A large number of federal agencies are responsible for multiple use public lands, national parks, and military installations. Together, they own thousands of archeological sites, historic structures, and millions of historic artifacts and documents that comprise U.S. history and culture. Lack of leadership and funding, along with conflicting priorities, hinder the agencies’ abilities to meet their legislative mandates. In fact, not one federal agency has fully complied with the mandates of the NHPA to fully survey their resources and devise plans to preserve them. This ACHP report is the result of a two year analysis of how the federal government can improve its care of historic resources. This is the first and most thorough report on the stewardship challenges facing federal agencies entrusted with caring for historical and cultural property on behalf of the American people.