§311102 Establishment

Summary

Creates the Preserve America Program at the Department of the Interior. The Secretary, working with the Advisory Council, can give competitive grants to States, local governments (including those applying for Preserve America status), Indian tribes, designated Preserve America Communities, and state and tribal historic preservation offices. Grants must support preservation through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning. Eligible projects include research and surveys of a community’s history and historic sites; education and interpretation about a site or community; planning that links preservation to economic development (but not building rehab); training for professionals to help communities use their historic resources; projects that support heritage tourism in Preserve America Communities; and other nonconstruction projects that identify, promote, or teach about historic properties. Only one grant may be given for each project. The Secretary may favor projects that also meet Save America’s Treasures goals. The Secretary must consult the Council when choosing projects and must send a list of projects to four Congressional committees at least 30 days before awarding grants. Grant recipients must provide at least 50 percent of the project cost from non-Federal sources, in cash or donated supplies/services valued by the Secretary, and the Secretary must confirm applicants can get that share before awarding a grant.