Preserve America

This executive order directs federal agencies to actively preserve and productively use federally owned historic properties, requiring inventory assessments, senior official designations, and triennial progress reports. It promotes public-private partnerships and heritage tourism while integrating historic preservation into agency missions and community economic development.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 10635

Impact dates

Feb 15, 2006
Council submits first report on state of Federal historic properties to President
Sep 30, 2005
First triennial progress report on historic properties due
Sep 30, 2004
Agencies complete assessment reports and regulatory compliance reviews
Mar 31, 2004
Council submits recommendations to President and agency heads on Federal stewardship
Sep 30, 2003
Advisory Council prepares advisory guidelines for agencies
Jun 30, 2003
Agency heads designate senior policy official for historic preservation oversight

Key directives

Each agency with real property management must prepare assessment of historic property inventory, condition, and management needs
Each agency must review regulations and policies for NHPA compliance and amend if non-compliant
Designate senior policy official (assistant secretary/deputy assistant secretary level) as Federal Preservation Officer by June 30, 2003
Prepare triennial progress reports on identifying, protecting, and using historic properties starting September 30, 2005
Council to submit report on state of Federal historic properties to President by February 15, 2006, then every third year
Secretary of Commerce to assist states, tribes, and communities in heritage tourism promotion
Council to prepare advisory guidelines by September 30, 2003
Council to submit recommendations to stimulate Federal stewardship by March 31, 2004

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Senior policy official designation due June 30, 2003
Advisory guidelines from Advisory Council due September 30, 2003

Near term (90d)

Agency assessments and regulatory compliance reviews due September 30, 2004
Council recommendations to President due March 31, 2004

Long term

Triennial progress reports beginning September 30, 2005
Council state-of-Federal-properties reports beginning February 15, 2006
Ongoing heritage tourism promotion and partnership development

Risks & tensions

Extensive 'where consistent with mission' and 'where appropriate' qualifiers may limit enforcement and compliance
No dedicated funding appropriated; 'within existing resources' constraint in Section 5 may weaken implementation
National security exemption in Section 6 is broad and could justify non-disclosure of property information
Advisory guidelines are discretionary ('at their discretion'), reducing accountability
Impact depends heavily on voluntary agency action and political prioritization of preservation