Preserve America

The 1966 National Historic Preservation Act is the keystone statute governing federal agencies' historic property management. President Bush issued the Preserve America order on March 3 to push agencies to live up to the law by requiring them to:

• Build partnerships with states, local governments, Indian tribes and the private sector to promote historic properties and local economic development.
• Coordinate with outside officials to promote tourism at federal and other sites.
• By September 2004, develop an inventory of historic properties that describes the condition of each property, the steps planned to improve its condition and the possibilities for economic development and heritage tourism.
• By September 2005 and every third year after that, report to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on progress in improving management of historic properties. The council and the Interior Department must prepare summary reports for the president.
• Designate a senior official to oversee historic preservation efforts. The official should be an assistant secretary, deputy assistant secretary or equivalent.