Outreach | Photo Library | Press Release Archives | Video News | e-mail USAEC-PAO
This is an archived article. Facts and links are current as of publication date.
Property Preservation
A new approach to the preservation of Army historic properties designed to improve management and compliance while saving taxpayer money was endorsed in December by Raymond J. Fatz, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for environment, safety, and occupational health, and the Army's federal preservation officer.
The new Army Historic Preservation Campaign Plan outlines a structured approach to improve the integrated management efforts of the Army's Historic Preservation Program and helps plan for future compliance requirements and challenges.
"The campaign plan will allow the Army to address its historic preservation responsibilities in an integrated, sustainable manner that will support readiness, Soldier well-being, and the stewardship of its most significant historic properties, including properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to federally recognized Native American tribes," said David Guldenzopf, chief of the U.S. Army Environmental Center Preservation Branch.
The campaign plan has two overall goals: to achieve cost-effective management of historic Army properties through enhanced program policy, guidance and management techniques; and to improve the balance between the Army mission and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance through regulatory and legislative actions.
The document includes the Army's historic preservation vision statement: to position the Army as a national leader in historic preservation through the stewardship of its most significant historic properties and the protection of the nation's heritage.
"This plan will not only help us address the challenges of historic preservation now, but also ensure we prepare for the future and adapt as more and more buildings and sites become NHPA eligible," Guldenzopf said.
"I'm confident this plan will produce benefits for the Army and the nation for years to come," said Guldenzopf, "since it builds on and expands actions, such as the Army Alternate Procedures and Army Capehart-Wherry Housing compliance, that have already been very successful for the Army."
First enacted in 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) defines and establishes requirements for preserving historic structures and cultural resources. It requires the Army to account for the effects of its activities on historic properties.
The Army currently owns more than 50,000 buildings subject to NHPA. By 2014, that number will increase by more than 20,000 additional buildings. The new campaign plan also applies to archaeological sites, of which the Army has more than 89,000.
"The magnitude of the Army's challenge in complying with the requirements of NHPA is reflected in these numbers," noted Guldenzopf.
Guldenzopf developed the plan in coordination with Lee Foster, cultural resources action officer with the Office of the Director of Environmental Programs.
"With the Army's Historic Preservation Vision Statement in place and everyone on the same page, we can look forward to cost-effective and timely NHPA compliance in a manner that supports the mission," said Foster.
| Respond to this article | ||
 |
Issue Contents |  |