Infrastructure Plan Undermines Heritage Protections

The Administration’s infrastructure plan is looking less like a chance to rebuild America and more like an effort to benefit industry through dangerous deregulation at the expense of our cultural heritage. The Administration’s plan would undermine the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The infrastructure plan contains little federal investment in our communities. Instead, it shifts the financial burden to states and local governments while simultaneously threatening to rob the American public of the chance to voice concerns and provide input.

The White House’s infrastructure proposal:

• Imposes arbitrary timelines on permit reviews that will push projects forward, even when they are problematic and face public opposition
• Results in fewer projects being reviewed for their effects on historic properties under Section 106 of the NHPA
• Eliminates the requirement that Congress approve any natural gas pipelines built in our national parks, leaving those decisions solely to the Secretary of Interior
• Ignores the reality of how the vast majority of projects are reviewed quickly and efficiently
• Ignores existing Congressionally-approved streamlining tools that reduce costs and delays

Improving America’s infrastructure should not stifle public involvement or weaken protections for public lands. We support an infrastructure bill that grows America’s economy while ensuring fair public participation, community involvement, and consideration of cultural resources.

Join with us to advocate for development that respects and protects America’s heritage.