10/15/2026
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. In response to large public calls, this law was enacted to preserve historically and culturally significant sites across the United States- recognizing that historic resources define the distinctive heritage of communities and stories across the United States. Amongst the many important processes this act enacts is the Section 106 process. Section 106 is a historic resource identification and mitigation review process that is one of the backbones of historic preservation in the United States. It requires undertakings to slow down and identify historic resources in the project area, how they might adversely affect these resources, and with parties familiar with the affected resources create a plan forward that carries out the needed undertaking and preserves historic resources for future generations. The public also has the opportunity to share what these resources mean to them, and be involved in the process of preserving them. Section 106 is not about stopping construction or denying needed projects, but producing a mutually beneficial outcome. In many cases demonstrated over the past 60 years, the Section 106 process creates a better and more supported undertaking that moves forward. In short, it quite literally gives historic resources a place at the table.
Currently, there are proposed changes to Section 106 that would be damaging to the process and its success, damaging to public and stakeholder involvement in the long-term preservation of historic resources in their communities, and inconsistent with historic preservation best practices and the National Historic Preservation Act itself. Historic resources are a non-renewable resource: once they are affected, or even worse once they are gone, it can never be undone. The purpose of the Section 106 process is to bring an undertaking’s leadership, preservation professionals, local stakeholders, and community members together to move an undertaking forward that meets its goals and preserves historic resources for future generations. If enacted, the proposed changes to the Section 106 process would negatively impact its success in preserving resources and undertaking’s success, damage how the public and other stakeholders can get involved in the preservation process in their communities, and could potentially impact the long-term preservation of the Waterford National Historic Landmark and historic resources across Loudoun County.
The Waterford Foundation is proud to stand in support with our fellow historic preservation organizations across Loudoun County and beyond in sharing about how Section 106 works and its importance, and helping to protect this process that has done much to preserve the resources around all of us. We thank the National Trust for Historic Preservation in leading us all in the work to protect this integral tool to historic preservation in the United States. To learn more about Section 106 and its importance, proposed changes to the process, and how to get involved- please check out the links below. When more news and actions are to be shared, the Waterford Foundation will share news on our website, newsletter, and social media.
Links to learn more:
- National Trust for Historic Preservation “Section 106 Under Threat” Landing Page: https://savingplaces.org/section106
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources “What is Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act”: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/blog-posts/what-is-section-106-of-the-national-historic-preservation-act/
- The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers “Section 106”: https://ncshpo.org/resources/section-106/