Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 5, 1 May 2012 — NHO comment and participation requested in the development of a National Historic Preservation Act program alternative [ARTICLE]

NHO comment and participation requested in the development of a National Historic Preservation Act program alternative

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites Native Hawaiian organization (NHO) participation in the development of a new nationwide program alternative for eomplianee with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems. Section 106 of the NHPA requires federal agencies, such as NRCS, to consider the effects of undertakings on historic properties (properties eligible for or listed in the Nahonal Register of Historic Places). Where a proposed federal undertaking may affect historic properties of religious and cultural significance to NHOs, the NRCS must consult with those organizations. This process provides NHOs an

opportunity to participate in federal decision making. In an effort to eonhnue a program of tailored eomplianee with Section 106, the NRCS is contemplating the development of a program alternative, a nationwide prototype programmatic agreement to replace its existing nationwide programmatic agreement, in collaboration with NHOs, State Historic Preservation Officers, federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). The NRCS invites NHO comment on and participation in the development of this program alternative. Please contact Valerie Russell, Cultural Resources Specialist, NRCS Pacific Islands Area (808-541-2600 xl36; valerie. russell@hi.usda.gov) if you are interested in learning more about this program alternative. Also, for more information, and to send comments to the NRCS and the ACHP, please see http://www.achp.gov/ nrcs.html. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider. ■