[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 21 (Monday, May 27, 1996)]
[Pages 909-910]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 13006--Locating Federal Facilities on Historic 
Properties in our Nation's Central Cities

May 21, 1996

    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

[[Page 910]]

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.
    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.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
May 21, 1996.

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 23, 1996]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on May 
24.