Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation's Central Cities

Executive Order 13006 of May 21, 1996

Locating Federal Facilities on Historic
Properties in Our
Nation's Central Cities

 By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including the National Historic Preservation
Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) and the Public Buildings
Cooperative Use Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2505), and in
furtherance of and consistent with Executive Order No.
12072 of August 16, 1978, and Executive Order No. 11593
of May 13, 1971, it is hereby ordered as follows:

 Section 1. Statement of Policy. Through the
Administration's community empowerment initiatives, the
Federal Government has undertaken various efforts to
revitalize our central cities, which have historically
served as the centers for growth and commerce in our
metropolitan areas. Accordingly, the Administration
hereby reaffirms the commitment set forth in Executive
Order No. 12072 to strengthen our Nation's cities by
encouraging the location of Federal facilities in our
central cities. The Administration also reaffirms the
commitments set forth in the National Historic
Preservation Act to provide leadership in the
preservation of historic resources, and in the Public
Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 to acquire and
utilize space in suitable buildings of historic,
architectural, or cultural significance.

 To this end, the Federal Government shall utilize and
maintain, wherever operationally appropriate and
economically prudent, historic properties and
districts, especially those located in our central
business areas. When implementing these policies, the
Federal Government shall institute practices and
procedures that are sensible, understandable, and
compatible with current authority and that impose the
least burden on, and provide the maximum benefit to,
society.

 Sec. 2. Encouraging the Location of Federal Facilities
on Historic Properties in Our Central Cities. When
operationally appropriate and economically prudent, and
subject to the requirements of section 601 of title VI
of the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended (42
U.S.C. 3122), and Executive Order No. 12072, when
locating Federal facilities, Federal agencies shall
give first consideration to historic properties within
historic districts. If no such property is suitable,
then Federal agencies shall consider other developed or
undeveloped sites within historic districts. Federal
agencies shall then consider historic properties
outside of historic districts, if no suitable site
within a district exists. Any rehabilitation or
construction that is undertaken pursuant to this order
must be architecturally compatible with the character
of the surrounding historic district or properties.

 Sec. 3. Identifying and Removing Regulatory Barriers.
Federal agencies with responsibilities for leasing,
acquiring, locating, maintaining, or managing Federal
facilities or with responsibilities for the planning
for, or managing of, historic resources shall take
steps to reform, streamline, and otherwise minimize
regulations, policies, and procedures that impede the
Federal Government's ability to establish or maintain a
presence in historic districts or to acquire historic
properties to satisfy Federal space needs, unless such
regulations, policies, and procedures are designed to
protect human health and safety or the environment.
Federal agencies are encouraged to seek the assistance
of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation when
taking these steps.

 Sec. 4. Improving Preservation Partnerships. In
carrying out the authorities of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Secretary of the Interior, the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and each
Federal agency shall seek appropriate partnerships with
States, local governments, Indian tribes, and
appropriate private organizations with the goal of
enhancing participation of these parties in the
National Historic Preservation Program. Such
partnerships should embody the principles of
administrative flexibility, reduced paperwork, and
increased service to the public.

 Sec. 5. Judicial Review. This order is not intended to
create, nor does it create, any right or benefit,
substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a
party against the United States, its agencies or
instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any
other person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    May 21, 1996.