NEWS RELEASE
ORGANIZATION CONTACT MEDIA CONTACT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NATHPO CALLS ON INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO REVERSE DECISION TO CURTAIL TRIBAL REVIEW OF ENERGY PROJECTS The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) is calling on the US Department of the Interior to reverse course following the announcement that it would give Tribal Nations a mere seven days to comment on proposed projects on their trust lands or lands to which they attach religious or cultural significance. For the 228 Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) serving communities around the country, this burden falls squarely on their shoulders. The announcement is rooted in the President's Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency, which was signed on January 20th. However, the United States is not in the midst of an “energy emergency” as described in the Executive Order. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States broke records for crude oil production in 2024 and overall energy production in the United States hit all-time highs in 2024. Meanwhile, THPOs are already buried under a mountain of energy and infrastructure projects to review and are further hamstrung by funding levels which, at current levels, violate the Federal government's trust responsibility to Tribal Nations. Even if they weren't, giving them a mere seven days to comment on new projects before moving forward does not satisfy the government's responsibility to engage in "nation-to-nation consultation." This is particularly disappointing after Interior Secretary Burgum declared "consultation is key" in his confirmation hearing. "The United States government has an obligation to engage in meaningful nation-to-nation consultation with Tribes on projects that effect their trust lands and lands they hold sacred," said NATHPO Executive Director Dr. Valerie Grussing. "There is no reason why energy and infrastructure projects cannot move forward while also protecting Tribes' sacred places and cultural resources. We ask the Administration to reverse this announcement curtailing review by THPOs, and we stand ready to work with them to ensure THPOs have the resources to perform those reviews quickly, begin the consultation process early, and heed the concerns of Tribes and THPOs seeking to protect their sacred places and cultural resources." Who we are – NATHPO is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization, founded in 1998, of Tribal preservation leaders protecting culturally important places that perpetuate Native identity, resilience, and cultural endurance. Connections to cultural heritage sustain the health and vitality of Native peoples. We provide guidance to preservation officials, elected representatives, and the public about national historic preservation legislation, policies, and regulations. We promote Tribal sovereignty, develop partnerships, and advocate for Tribes in governmental activities on preservation issues. For more information visit our website at [//www.nathpo.org]www.nathpo.org. This email was sent on behalf of National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) located at PO Box 19189, Washington, DC 20036-9189. To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email contact National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) at info@nathpo.org.
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