[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26071-26072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13305]
                        Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 102 / Friday, May 24, 1996 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 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.
[[Page 26072]]
                 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, its officers or employees, or any
                other person.
                    (Presidential Sig.)
                THE WHITE HOUSE,
                    May 21, 1996.
[FR Doc. 96-13305
Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P