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Federal Funding Crisis Threatens State Preservation Offices
(6.2.25--updated to 6.4.25) Historic preservation is currently under unprecedented threat and needs your vocal support. If federal money from the Historic Preservation Fund is not released by July 1, 2025, our office will enter the state fiscal year significantly underfunded.
What is the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), and how does it impact Rhode Island?
- The HPF, which is funded through offshore oil and gas lease fees (not tax dollars), provides essential operational funding to State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
- This year, our office expects to receive approximately $700,000 from the HPF, which makes up about 20% of our budget – but the federal government has not released the FY25 funds, and there are legitimate concerns it never will.
- We distribute 10% of our HPF funding to local communities for important preservation planning activities. The remaining 90% funds staff positions that administer tax credit, grants, project review, National Register, and archaeology programs.
How You Can Help
- If you can spare a few minutes to contact your United States Senators and Representatives, we'd be grateful.
- Ask them to urge the Office of Management and Budget to immediately release the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the 2025 Historic Preservation Fund, allowing us – and other State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices – to access this essential source of funding.
- Express your support for future HPF funding. The proposed 2026 budget currently being debated in Congress nearly eliminates the HPF.
- Thank them for their support of preservation in Rhode Island!
| CONTACT INFO FOR RHODE ISLAND'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION |
The HPF represents the federal government's commitment to state and local history. Significant aspects of our work, and the work of every state preservation office across the country, will not be possible unless the congressionally appropriated funds are released soon.
We rely on your voice to advocate for public investment in historic preservation at the state level and in every community across Rhode Island. Thank you for speaking up for Rhode Island today and always.
Jeff Emidy
Executive Director
State Historic Preservation Officer
Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
Preservation in Wild Times: Updates from the Executive Director
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(5.5.25) Many of you are probably wondering how historic preservation is being affected by the many Executive Orders and directives being issued by President Trump’s administration. The most accurate, but not very satisfying, answer is that we are in a wait-and-see situation. In early March, I attended National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in Washington, DC. Organized by the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and nonprofit advocacy organization Preservation Action, the conference provided an opportunity to discuss issues with national preservation organizations and federal agencies, compare notes with other State Historic Preservation Officers, and meet with our Congressional delegates. Much of the work that we carry out was established or is mandated under the National Historic Preservation Act. This includes the National Register program and review of federal projects (so-called “Section 106” review). The RIHPHC receives approximately 22% (FY2024) of our budget from the federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) to carry out those tasks, among others. 2% of fees from federal offshore oil leases – not tax-payer dollars – funds the HPF. Like other State Historic Preservation Offices, we funnel approximately 10% of our HPF funds through to Certified Local Government communities via grants, and what remains goes toward staff salaries. Increasing the HPF reauthorization level for the 2026 budget was a focus of Advocacy Week. Whether that will happen remains to be seen, but there was cautious optimism at Advocacy Week that, for fiscal year 2025, at least, the HPF would be level-funded. I met with Senator Reed and Representative Amo, as well as staff from Senator Whitehouse’s and Representative Magaziner’s offices. We discussed federal preservation policy as well as preservation matters at home. We are fortunate to have a delegation that understands the importance of preservation, with strong track records of support. While there have been no direct changes to the National Register or Section 106 process, there have been indirect impacts. For example, the Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency changes the way we review certain projects. Shifting priorities may affect grant funding for preservation planning projects. Staffing cuts at federal agencies, including the National Park Service, will impact preservation on the national level, with potential trickle-down effects for the states. In light of all this, there are reasons to be concerned about historic preservation. However, we know that historic preservation is an economic driver nationwide, and that there is support at the Congressional level. Now, more than ever, we are keeping in contact with our colleagues in Washington and around the country to stay aware of changes. We appreciate your continued support. Jeff Emidy Executive Director Rhode Island State Historic Preservation Officer (5/5/25) |
We're hiring! Transportation Project Review Coordinator
(4/12/25) As of April 2025, RIHPHC has reopened the search for a Senior Historic Preservation Specialist - Project Review Coordinator. This position is central to the regulatory obligations of the agency and works closely with archaeologists, historians, and architects internally. Read the full job description and qualifications. Review of applications will begin in mid-April.
THE BASICS: Salary -- $76,902.00 - $87,071.00 annually (pay grade 131, non-union). Working schedule is 9:00 am -4:30 pm, 35 hours/week.
(Reposted April 12, 2025)