Historic Preservation: Federal Laws and Regulations Related to Hurricane Recovery and Reconstruction

RS22298 -- Historic Preservation: Federal Laws and Regulations Related to Hurricane Recovery and Reconstruction

Updated February 16, 2006

Summary

Various federal laws and related regulations provide guidance for the preservation of historic properties, objects, historic areas, and battlefields. While many of these laws and regulations impose specific responsibilities for the preservation and maintenance of historic properties and objects, there are often exceptions to these obligations. These exceptions may be implemented in order to deal with emergency and/or natural disaster situations. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the destruction experienced in the Gulf Region, these preservation laws and their exceptions may provide some guidance for the recovery and reconstruction of hurricane-impacted areas. This report summarizes relevant federal laws and regulations related to historic preservation and the exceptions to these laws and regulations. In addition, FEMA's Environmental, Historic Preservation, and Cultural Resources Program is outlined.