Contributed by: Spokane Preservation Advocates
Organization: Spokane Preservation Advocates
Dated Posted: August 8, 2026
Website: Visit External Site

On Friday, July 17, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) released proposed revisions to the regulations governing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). These changes would significantly weaken the current protections for historic and cultural places nationwide — and would directly affect preservation efforts here in Spokane, from historic schools and neighborhoods to culturally significant sites across our region.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 30 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will host a webinar outlining the most concerning aspects of the proposal, the potential impacts, and the timeline for next steps, including how preservation advocates can respond. Although the Advisory Council requested a vote by July 24, the National Trust — a voting member — cast a firm “No” on the proposal.

You can learn more about the proposed changes at: savingplaces.org/section106

What You Can Do Now

• Register for tomorrow’s webinar to stay informed.
• Share this alert with colleagues, neighbors, and community partners.
• Watch for SPA updates on opportunities to submit public comments.
• Download this one-pager on this critical threat.

SPA is closely monitoring this process and will keep our members informed as new developments arise. Thank you for helping keep our community informed and secure.

Warm regards,
Ronda Hutchings, Executive Coordinator
Spokane Preservation Advocates