NEWS RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Fuehrmeyer
Communications Advisor
Media@NATHPO.org
815-953-5004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) released the following statement on the President's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which calls for eliminating funding for the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) program under the National Historic Preservation Act:
“The President’s proposed budget both fails to uphold trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations and runs counter to the Administration’s stated goal of streamlining permitting processes,” said Ira L. Matt (Séliš), Executive Director for Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations. “One key to ensuring federal projects can move forward without unnecessary delays is to give THPOs the resources they need to perform their work, but this budget would do the opposite. NATHPO stands ready to work with Congress and the Administration to find ways to reform federal permitting processes in ways that do not endanger Tribal Nations’ sacred places and cultural resources, but without adequately funding the THPO program, that simply cannot happen."
This budget repeats last year's request to eliminate funding for the THPO program. NATHPO is grateful for the bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House and Senate who preserved THPO funding in FY 2026, and we look forward to working with them to ensure this program is funded in FY 2027 and for years to come.
In addition to calling on Congress to reject these proposed cuts to the THPO program, NATHPO is asking the Administration to release the FY 2026 funding for THPOs, which Congress passed and President Trump signed into law more than two months ago. Most THPOs rely largely or entirely on this federal funding to power their offices, and every day they are delayed increases the risk of THPOs having to lay off staff or shut down entirely, which would kill jobs, endanger sacred places and non-renewable cultural resources, and cause unnecessary delays in countless federal projects
Finally, NATHPO is calling on Congress to pass the Historic Preservation Enhancement Act. This bill, which was first introduced in 2024, would, if enacted, represent a vital step towards the federal government fulfilling their Trust responsibilities to ensure Tribal Nations have the financial resources necessary to protect their sacred places and preserve their cultural resources. The bill would permanently require $300 million each year to be appropriated for the Historic Preservation Fund. Of that $300 million, at least 20 percent of the funds would be allocated for THPOs, which would nearly triple the current funding for the THPO program. The bill would also require the Department of the Interior to review the allocation of funding annually to ensure funding for THPOs keeps pace as the number of THPOs increases.
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.