[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26071-26072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13305]



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  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