Res 2026-017 Approving the City of San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan

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PRESERVATION POLICY Preservation Policy is embedded in a wide range of federal, state, and local policy. This section describes in brief federal and state acts that apply to San Marcos and its Historic Preservation Plan. NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES ACT NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT 1935 The HSA expands the role of the NPS, established by the Organic Act of 1916. The early twentieth century was a period of growing interest and commitment to preserving the nation's natural, cultural, and historic resources. This culminated with HSA, formally establishing a national policy for preserving historic buildings, objects, and sites for the benefit of the American people. The Act authorized the Secretary of the Interior through the NPS to operate and manage historic sites; create a public education program; restore historic sites; erect commemorative plaques; collect ephemera and objects associated with historic sites; work with states, organizations, and individuals to operate and preserve historic sites; and survey, research, and acquire nationally significant archaeological and historic sites. The HSA resulted in a significant expansion of the NPS's historic preservation duties. NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT 1966 The NHPA was enacted in reaction to the loss of important historic places during the building boom after World War II and has been amended over time. It created State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs),the precursor to Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) covered under Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 36 CFR Part 60. It contains Section 106 and Section 110, which regulate proposed development and redevelopment. In 1978, detailed regulations outlining the 106 process were published in 36 CFR Part 800. Federally owned, funded, and permitted projects must consider the effects of proposed projects on historic properties before moving forward. Section 110 requires that all federal agencies designate a Federal Preservation Officers (FPO) and establish programs to identify and evaluate historic properties. •.: The NTSA was passed in 1968 to establish a system of national trails comprised of recreation trails, scenic trails, historic trails, and connecting trails. The nation's growing population and growing interest in recreation spurred the act, and it aimed to promote the preservation of and public access to outdoor areas and historic resources in urban and remote areas of the country. The NTSA authorized both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and designate national trails. The designation of two national scenic trails was included in the NTSA: the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Today, there are more than 30 designated national trails, managed by the NPS, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and jointly by the two agencies. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT 1970 NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, which includes impacts on historic properties, and consider public input. NEPA applies to a wide range of actions, such as permit applications for crossing federal lands or impacting navigable waters, federal land management, and construction of highways and other public facilities. If a private company is undertaking a project that involves federal permits, funding, or land, the company may be required to pay for an environmental analysis; however, the federal agency administering the permit, funding, or land is ultimately responsible for the accuracy and scope of the analysis. The Act also established the Council on Environmental Quality, which oversees NEPA implementation and coordinates with federal agencies to ensure timely permitting and environmental reviews. PRESERVATION IN THE U.S. & TEXAS