16 U.S.C. § 470 : US Code - Section 470: Short title; Congressional finding and declaration of policy

Search 16 U.S.C. § 470 : US Code - Section 470: Short title; Congressional finding and declaration of policy

(a) This subchapter may be cited as the "National Historic
Preservation Act".
(b) The Congress finds and declares that -
(1) the spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and
reflected in its historic heritage;
(2) the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation
should be preserved as a living part of our community life and
development in order to give a sense of orientation to the
American people;
(3) historic properties significant to the Nation's heritage
are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently,
with increasing frequency;
(4) the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the
public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural,
educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy
benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations
of Americans;
(5) in the face of ever-increasing extensions of urban centers,
highways, and residential, commercial, and industrial
developments, the present governmental and nongovernmental
historic preservation programs and activities are inadequate to
insure future generations a genuine opportunity to appreciate and
enjoy the rich heritage of our Nation;
(6) the increased knowledge of our historic resources, the
establishment of better means of identifying and administering
them, and the encouragement of their preservation will improve
the planning and execution of Federal and federally assisted
projects and will assist economic growth and development; and
(7) although the major burdens of historic preservation have
been borne and major efforts initiated by private agencies and
individuals, and both should continue to play a vital role, it is
nevertheless necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government
to accelerate its historic preservation programs and activities,
to give maximum encouragement to agencies and individuals
undertaking preservation by private means, and to assist State
and local governments and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation in the United States to expand and accelerate their
historic preservation programs and activities.