The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is an independent agency of the United States government

Independent agencies of the United States government

Independent agencies of the United States federal government are those agencies that exist outside of the federal executive departments...

 that promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of the nation's historic resources, and advises the President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

 and Congress

United States Congress

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....

 on national historic preservation policy.

The goal of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966

The National Historic Preservation Act is legislation intended to preserve historical and archaeological sites in the United States of America...

 (NHPA), which established ACHP in 1966, is to have Federal agencies act as responsible stewards of the nation's resources when their actions affect historic properties. ACHP is the only entity with the legal responsibility to encourage Federal agencies to factor historic preservation into Federal project requirements.

As directed by the National Historic Preservation Act, ACHP serves as the primary federal policy advisor to the President and Congress; recommends administrative and legislative improvements for protecting the nation's heritage; advocates full consideration of historic values in federal decisionmaking; and reviews Federal programs and policies to promote effectiveness, coordination, and consistency with national preservation policies.

Mission

On May 31, 2002 the membership of the ACHP adopted a mission statement.

"The mission of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is to promote the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of our Nation's historic resources, and advise the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy."

Statutorily, the ACHP has a significant role under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Under that section, Federal agencies have to take into account the effects of their undertakings on properties listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

, and give the ACHP a reasonable opportunity to comment.

The ACHP has issued regulations setting forth how agencies comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. They are found at 36 C.F.R. part 800 (2004).

Membership

The ACHP consists of 23 members from various federal agencies, local and state governments, the public and outside organizations. All but two of the members are appointed by the President of the United States. Membership, as laid out in the 1966 Historic Preservation Act includes, the ACHP chairman, appointed by the President of the United States, who is selected from the general public. Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA, also California State Historic Preservation Officer, is chairman with a term of office: 2010-2013.

In addition, the president also appoints other members, including the Secretary of the Interior

United States Secretary of the Interior

The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...

, the Secretary of Agriculture

United States Secretary of Agriculture

The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...

, the Architect of the Capitol

Architect of the Capitol

The Architect of the Capitol is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States...

, four heads of other federal agencies whose activities concern historic preservation, a state governor

Governor (United States)

In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...

, a mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

, four experts from the field of historic preservation

Historic preservation

Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...

 (specializing in architecture

Architecture

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...

, history

History

History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...

 or archeology), three members of the general public, and one member of an Indian tribe

Indian tribe

In the United States, a Native American tribe is any extant or historical tribe, band, nation, or other group or community of Indigenous peoples in the United States...

 or a Native Hawaiian

Native Hawaiians

Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S...

 organization. The two members of the ACHP not appointed by the U.S. president are the president of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the Chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...

.

Terms

The ACHP members who are the heads of other Federal agencies serve on the ACHP as long as they hold their head of agency positions. The president of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, the Chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Architect of the Capitol are ex officio members of the ACHP, and therefore serve on the ACHP as long as they hold their mentioned positions. Mayors and governor

Governor (United States)

In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...

s serve for terms that last as long as they are serving in an elected capacity as mayor or governor but no longer than four years. The citizen (including the Chairman), expert, and Indian tribe/Native Hawaiian organization members of the ACHP all serve four year terms.

Activities

ACHP's 23 statutorily designated members, including the chairman who heads the agency, address policy issues, direct program initiatives, and make recommendations regarding historic preservation to the President, Congress, and heads of other Federal agencies. Members meet four times per year to conduct business.

An Executive Committee, headed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, governs agency operations such as management, budget, legislative policy, and oversight of the most prominent Section 106 cases. Also on the Executive Committee are ACHP members who chair three standing committees that correspond to ACHP's three program areas.

The "Preservation Initiatives" program area focuses on partnerships and program initiatives such as heritage tourism

Heritage tourism

Cultural heritage tourism is a branch of tourism oriented towards the cultural heritage of the location where tourism is occurring...

 to promote preservation with groups such as State and local governments, Indian tribes, and the private sector. The ACHP and Department of the Interior jointly administer the Preserve America

Preserve America

Preserve America is a United States government program, established under President George W. Bush, intended to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy the country's cultural and natural heritage....

 program.

The "Communications, Education, and Outreach" program area conveys ACHP's vision and message to constituents and the general public through public information and education programs, and a public recognition program for historic preservation achievement.

The "Federal Agency Programs" program area administers the National Historic Preservation Act's Section 106 review process and works with federal agencies to help improve how they consider historic preservation values in their programs.

A small professional staff, which supports ACHP's daily operations, is headquartered in Washington, DC.