[MassHistPres] National Preservation Action today.

Wed May 23 15:23:50 EDT 2012

On the national level this is also happening today.

Congressional Conferees are considering language that would eviscerate section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, the strongest federal historic preservation law on the books.  The provision under consideration would eliminate the protection of section 4(f) for all historic properties that are the subject of an MOA under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  Passage of this provision could mean that more than 99% of all historic properties threatened by transportation projects would be exempt from this type of review. In addition, there are a number of other harmful 'environmental streamlining' provisions included in Title VI of the House proposal.

Help us by joining with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and numerous other organizations from across the country to call Congressional Offices and make our priorities clear to impact the transportation bill's final outcome. Pick up the phone and call your Senators and Representatives -- historic preservation concerns need to be heard on May 23rd!

To find your member's phone number, call the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 866-220-0044 (This number was incorrect earlier) or use the online directory at http://congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001k4DKMnBo-aJ13aAV-6AtxeP4DSkdq-bJzuhf0N4WMIpm89-xNYO7inraUZ3WGZytycA7In0q94ZPVyOaZ6eV4ypfoNXvdaAH9IdJv_cXm1Q5RKn9XWDMQrpeC7vkfHg0x-S5klVJZRxushTopEss_po4Vlo6ix1P>

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY ON MAY 23

Hello, my name is [NAME] and I live in [PLACE]. I'm calling to ask Representative/Senator [NAME] to support historic preservation protections and programs during the transportation bill conference. Please ensure the conference committee on transportation:

(1)   Rejects provisions in Title VI of HR 4348 that weaken protections for historic resources, especially Section 607.

(2)   Rejects streamlining provisions that would exempt projects from historic preservation and environmental review and curtail efforts of public participation in the planning process.

(3)   Supports the ability for states and local governments to access Transportation Enhancements funding for historic preservation projects,

Please ensure our nation's transportation law continues to preserve our heritage, strengthen our communities and enhance our economy. Thank you for your time.

Jean Carroon FAIA, LEED
Principal - Design, Sustainability, Preservation
617.850.6651 (direct)
617.285.5936 (cell)
jean.carroon at goodyclancy.com<mailto:jean.carroon at goodyclancy.com>
www.goodyclancy.com<http://www.goodyclancy.com/>

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of jdianeol at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1:33 PM
To: jade at heartwoodrestoration.com; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Opposition to Senate Budget Amendment GOV 119

Just to clarify...
This is a matter before our state senate here in Massachusetts, not the US Senate in Washington. Although it cannot hurt to phone Senators Kerry & Brown in this matter, they cannot vote on it. If you need to check for contact info (including name) of your state senator, go to this link (modified minimally to allow it past the masshistpres restrictions on active hyperlinks)
malegislature.gov/People/Senate
(just add the "www." part on the front)

Diane Oliver-Jensen
West Brookfield

-----Original Message-----
From: heartwood restoration <jade at heartwoodrestoration.com<mailto:jade at heartwoodrestoration.com>>
To: Courtney Whelan <cwhelan at preservationmass.org<mailto:cwhelan at preservationmass.org>>; masshistpres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>>
Sent: Wed, May 23, 2012 1:23 pm
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Opposition to Senate Budget Amendment GOV 119
because time is of the essence and bills are often voted on on fridays and because  senators brown and kerry offer an email form rather than an email address, i called and spoke with staff in each senator's office requesting that they OPPOSE the bill proposed by senators rodrigues and donnelly (S-2053)...

for those of us who have precious little time to write a letter on this important topic, may i urge you to pick up the phone and call?

john kerry         617 565-8519
scott brown      617 565-3170

jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
----- Original Message -----
From: Courtney Whelan<mailto:cwhelan at preservationmass.org>
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu<mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 12:05 PM
Subject: [MassHistPres] Opposition to Senate Budget Amendment GOV 119

Earlier this week, Preservation Massachusetts learned from our SHPO's office about a proposed senate budget amendment, GOV 119, that would seriously curtail the Massachusetts Historical Commission's review authority on historic preservation projects in the state

After reviewing the proposed changes, and strategizing with partners and other colleagues, Preservation Massachusetts submitted the following letter to Senators Kenneth Donnelly and Michael Rodrigues and copied Senate President Therese Murray and Secretary of State Galvin, supported by our Board of Directors.

Preservation Massachusetts and the SHPO's office reached out to our statewide network through our Preservation Coalition, Board of Directors and other partners and ask that you also contact via email or letter your Senators to oppose this serious threat to MHC and historic resources and preservation efforts in our state.

May 22, 2012

Senator Kenneth Donnelly
Senator Michael Rodrigues
Massachusetts State House
Boston, MA 02133

RE:      Opposition to Senate budget amendment GOV #119 - The Massachusetts Historical                           Commission

Dear Senators Donnelly & Rodrigues:

On behalf of Preservation Massachusetts, I write to you regarding Senate budget amendment GOV 119 and its impact on the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC).   Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit organization that actively promotes the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes as a positive force for economic development and the retention of community character. We work with partner organizations across the Commonwealth and beyond in our efforts to promote, educate and advance historic preservation.

The proposed Senate budget amendment GOV #119 would have serious implications on the ability of MHC to preserve the numerous historic properties, archaeological and Native American sites that make up the rich heritage of our Commonwealth.  It is this heritage and the history in our buildings that attracts many residents and businesses to call our state home.  The oversight and guidance of the MHC is important to retaining that history as the state continues to expand and grow into the future.

That guidance and oversight would be compromised by proposed changes in the Senate budget GOV #119.  As their regulatory statute currently reads, all parties must consult with MHC after their finding of an "adverse effect" in order to explore prudent and feasible alternatives that would eliminate, minimize or mitigate the adverse effects of a project. In the proposed amendment, such review would be triggered only if the project proponent requests consultation. We feel that an optional consultation and review would not be undertaken by the majority of proponents, a situation that could have dire consequences for many historic resources.

Also, the proposed 90-day limit on the consultation process would severely curtail the ability of MHC to properly explore feasible alternatives, conduct feasibility studies, structural analysis and conduct archaeological investigations. It would also limit the ability to seek comments from consulting and interested parties, which can prove important a project or historic resource.

After a consultation, MHC would only be able to issue recommendations under the proposed amendment. Currently MHC develops a Memorandum of Agreement which commits the proponent to mitigation. Simply issuing recommendations would allow proponents to essentially ignore MHC's findings and could jeopardize numerous historic resources and have far and long ranging consequences for our state.

Preservation Massachusetts has spent nearly three decades promoting the positive and economic benefits of historic preservation in our Commonwealth.  Preservation means jobs, economic development, community revitalization, tourism and enhanced quality of life, all while retaining the incredible historic fabric of Massachusetts for future generations.  Every effort should be made to ensure that that historic character remains intact but can also grow with us into the 21st century and beyond.

As a statewide organization, tasked to represent all 351 cities and towns in our Commonwealth, we stand in opposition to Senate budget amendment GOV #119. We are happy to discuss this with you at any time and hope to work with you to find a reasonable alternative to the proposed language and its impact on our historic resources in Massachusetts.

Sincerely,
James W. Igoe
President
Preservation Massachusetts

To find contact information for Massachusetts Legislators click here.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001q9qL1076bc-fFr1tGGIJ9cTIDlv6kPDr-a4c3z4ZeF_ZxlljJYL5yiS0qhUNzOXmbhTXtHLumIy6O67uOeNe2rCDriERCiMcDdUR6n4moYz0f5RWw-nWEP8VdKWULlGV_biOTek1x8c=>

Also, there is another amendment (OTH18) that would a negative effect on an historic Olmsted landscape listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.  It proposes the transfer of the currently DCR owned property to the City of Boston and authorize its transformation into a parking area. The parcel was conceptualized as part of the Emerald Necklace in 1883 and built in 1897.

Please contact your Senator's office today!

Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall
45 School Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
www.preservationmass.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001q9qL1076bc-uBOkDC-S5bwxuJDSc_JyEQWmBnE3ne3QDKYGvYyPQvmmC2bbAzz8qFL04wSp5SAe6hjsEZ-Spse8xGYHQO5xLLo5pP6CTHMyQiJap21_1dw==>

--
Courtney M. Whelan
Program Manager
Preservation Massachusetts
Old City Hall
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 723-3383

www.preservationmass.org<http://www.preservationmass.org>
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