National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is a U.S. law established in 1966 to protect historic sites, buildings, and landmarks. It encourages the preservation of places significant to the nation’s heritage and fosters public involvement in the preservation process. The Act created the National Register of Historic Places, which lists sites worthy of protection, and established state historic preservation offices. The NHPA helps ensure that federal projects consider the impact on historic properties, promoting the balance between development and the preservation of cultural and historical resources for future generations.