EXECUTIVE
ORDER
EO 13006
Effective Date: May 21, 1996

Responsible Office: Office of Management Systems
Subject: LOCATING FEDERAL FACILITIES ON HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN OUR NATION'S CENTRAL CITIES

				TEXT

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.

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.

                         /s/William J. Clinton


THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 21, 1996.

			

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