Proposed 2011 U.S. budget would slash $25M in historic preservation funding

The 2011 budget proposal presented by President Barack Obama today aims to reduce the nation’s historic preservation funding by $25 million, according to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). In a blog post on DAHP’s Web site ( http://wadahp.wordpress.com/ ), the organization reports that $79.5 million was directed toward the nation’s historic preservation fund in 2010. In 2011, however, the President is proposing $54.5 million in historic preservation funding. Of that money, $46.5 million would be used to fund state historic preservation offices across the county. Locally, the money is used to fund DAHP and its Certified Local Government program.

The President has also proposed eliminating the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) and Preserve America grant programs. According to the White House, SAT program benefits are unclear, given the lack of “rigorous performance metrics and evaluation efforts.”

Here is a break-down of funding according to DAHP:

1. Historic Pres Fund Total / $77.675 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $79.5 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $54.5 (FY11 Proposed Budget);

2. State Historic Preservation Offices / $46.5 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $46.5 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $46.5 (FY11 Proposed Budget);

3. Tribal Historic Preservation Offices / $8 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $8 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $8 (FY11 Proposed Budget);

4. Save America’s Historic Treasures / $20 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $25 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $0 (FY11 Proposed Budget);

5. Preserve America / $3.175 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $3.175 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $0 (FY11 Proposed Budget);

6. Inventory/Survey / $0 (FY10 Proposed Budget) / $0 (FY10 Final Appropriations) / $0 (FY11 Proposed Budget).

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For earlier Tacoma Daily Index coverage of historic preservation in Washington State, click on the following links:

Legislative session puts preservationists on ‘defense’ — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1697750&more=0

Washington State Heritage Caucus: A legislative voice for historic preservation — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1694361&more=0

Pierce County’s History Detectives — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1643122&more=0

Preservationists push for regional maritime heritage area designation — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1602828&more=0

In an old hilltop mansion, a strong voice for preservation — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1528102&more=0

Historic honor for downtown Washington Building — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1521722&more=0

Washington State budget cuts threaten Main Street program — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1510564&more=0