Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 102 / Friday, May 24, 1996 / Presidential Documents 26071

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.
26072 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 102 / Friday, May 24, 1996 / Presidential Documents

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,

[FR Doc. 96–13305

THE WHITE HOUSE,

May 21, 1996.

its officers or employees, or any other person.

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Filed 5–23–96; 8:45 am]

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