The budget request released yesterday slashed funding of key components of the national preservation program. It proposes to completely eliminate funding for the Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America grant programs, and includes a 50% cut to National Heritage Areas. These programs are funded entirely through revenues from offshore oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.
“We are especially concerned about reductions to Save America’s Treasures," the NTHP said in its statement released today. "It has enjoyed broad, bi-partisan Congressional support, and has played a vital role in successfully saving over 700 of America’s most significant places in all 50 states, from Ellis Island to Mesa Verde National Park to Valley Forge to Thomas Edison’s Invention Factory.”
Bishop Museum, the Battleship Missouri, Kaloko Fishpond at Kaloko-Honokohau NHP and Maui Jinsha Shrine are a just a few of the historic and cultural sites in Hawai‘i to receive funds from Save America’s Treasures, the only Federally-supported bricks-and-mortar grant program in the U.S.
Five historic communities in Hawai‘i have received Preserve America grants since 2007. Among these are Honolulu’s Chinatown, Kaua‘i County and Maui County.
“Over the last decade the Save America’s Treasures program has helped preserve some of our most significant historic places through modest grants that leverage private dollars, create jobs and strengthen communities,” said National Trust President Richard Moe in response to the proposed cuts. “What’s not to like about this program? It’s incredibly short-sighted that the administration proposes eliminating it at a time when it’s needed more than ever.”
While the popular Save America’s Treasures (SAT) and Preserve America (PA) programs have been completely eliminated, funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO/THPO) would remain the same as last year under the budget proposal. See below (in millions):
FY 2010 Final | FY 2011 Proposed | |
SHPOs | 46.5 | 46.5 |
THPOs | 8 | 8 |
Inventory/Survey | 0 | 0 |
SAT | 25 | 0 |
PA | 3.175* | 0 |
Total HPF | 79.5 | 54.5 |
*Funded through the Recreation and Preservation Account instead of the HPF
Unlike the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), however, the President has demonstrated a commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). According to his budget summary, the FY11 budget “stays on track to fully fund Land and Water Conservation Fund programs by 2014 providing nearly $620 million to acquire new lands for national parks, forests and refuges, protect endangered species habitat, and promote outdoor recreation.”
The $900 million annual authorization for the LWCF and the $150 million annual authorization for the HPF share the same source of funding—lease revenue from oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. Neither has ever received its fully authorized appropriations. More information about the HPF.
In the coming weeks and months, as Congress debates the budget, it will be imperative that you contact your legislators to tell them how important Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America are. Similarly, we need to communicate that the Historic Preservation Fund deserves the same commitment as the Land and Water Conservation Fund: full funding.
Contact information for Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation is below:
Senator Daniel K. Akaka
Honolulu
Prince Kūhiō Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 3-106
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone: 808-522-8970
FAX: 808-545-4683
Washington D.C.
141 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6361
Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Honolulu
Prince Kūhiō Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 7-212
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-4975
Phone: 808-541-2542
Fax: 808-541-2549
Washington D.C.
722 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-1102
Phone: 202-224-3934
Fax: 202-224-6747
Congressman Neil Abercrombie
Honolulu
Prince Kūhiō Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 4-104
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone: (808) 541-2570
FAX: (808) 533-0133
Washington, DC
1502 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2726
FAX: (202) 225-4580
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
Honolulu
Prince Kūhiō Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 5-104
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96850
Phone:(808) 541-1986
FAX:(808) 538-0233
Washington, DC
1524 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone:(202) 225-4906
Fax:(202) 225-4987
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