The executive director has senior management responsibility for all staff organizational units and reports to the chairman. To better reflect its responsibilities across all staff, the Office of the Executive Director houses two offices.

• The Native American Program advises the ACHP chairman, members, and executive director on policy matters related to Native American issues; offers technical assistance and outreach to all who participate in tribal and NHO consultation under the Section 106 review process; and provides training to Indian tribes, NHOS, and Federal agencies on consultation requirements under Section 106 and Federal agency relationships with Indian tribes. A coordinator who oversees ACHP involvement with Indian tribes and NHOS leads the office, which is staffed with a program specialist.

• The Office of General Counsel is led by a general counsel, who provides legal services to the members and staff and oversees the agency ethics program. The position of general counsel is vacant due to budgetary constraints; an associate general counsel provides legal advice and manages the agency ethics program.

Office of Preservation Initiatives

The Office of Preservation Initiatives is responsible for research and development and program implementation (including review and evaluation) for the Preserve America initiative, especially the Preserve America Communities (and neighborhoods) portion of the initiative. It assists communities, responds to questions from members of Congress and Congressional staff, maintains databases, and develops Web site content. This office develops policy recommendations and implements ACHP-adopted policies related to national preservation goals, especially as they advance preservation's economic and educational benefits, and works

on program initiatives such as heritage tourism. The office provides outreach to potential partners such as State and local governments, Indian tribes and NHOs, and the private sector to promote better understanding of Preserve America, heritage tourism, and related benefits of preservation. It also participates in policy forums and intergovernmental working groups relevant to these topics.

A director oversees two staff members who engage in the full range of office activities. These staff members include a senior program analyst who identifies program and policy needs, evaluates solutions, and recommends action, and a preservation program specialist who conducts research, prepares program materials, and participates in program review activities.

Office of Federal Agency Programs

The Office of Federal Agency Programs conducts Section 106 reviews, provides technical assistance and guidance for Section 106 users, and works to improve Federal agency and stakeholder understanding of Section 106. It also focuses on tribal participation in the Federal historic preservation program and improvements of Federal agency historic preservation programs. Training for Section 106 users is also coordinated by this office, and its staff develops and administers training courses, particularly the two-day ACHP course, "The Section 106 Essentials."

In late FY 2005 this office underwent a major consolidation of services and restructuring. ACHP management took steps to close the Denver field office and consolidate all services within the headquarters office in Washington, DC. This move was taken to reflect the changing nature of the ACHP's Section 106 casework under the current regulations, to enhance our ability to develop guidance and other services for Section 106 users, to better position the agency to promote Preserve America initiatives, and to better use existing resources. To replace the four Denver staff positions, recruitment efforts are underway to hire a new Assistant Director (Grade 14), four new Historic Preservation Specialists (Grade 11-12) and an Office Manager (Grade 9).

Under the restructuring two major line offices were created: the Federal Property Management Section and the Federal Assistance and Permitting Section, each managed by an Assistant Director reporting to the Director. Professional staff including Federal agency liaisons are then aligned under these two sections. By organizing staff in accordance with Federal agency activities, we will be able to better serve the needs of Federal agencies and Section 106 users since we will foster better staff knowledge of Federal agency activities and will encourage cross-fertilization of program improvements common to agencies with similar orientation. Administrative support, oversight of the office's management of the ACHP's introductory course, clerical support, and oversight of the administration of the office's Section 106 activities will be provided by a new Office Manager and an existing Historic Preservation Technician and Office Secretary.

The Federal agency partnership positions are located within the Office of Federal Agency Programs. The Army Program, which is funded through a reimbursable agreement with the ACHP, is led by a manager who is aided by three historic preservation specialists at the Army Environmental Center in Aberdeen,

Maryland. The activities covered under this program include development of Programmatic Agreements, establishment of survey and planning protocols, and other activities that improve the Army's compliance with the requirements of the NHPA.

Four liaison positions were developed through partnerships with USDA, GSA, HUD, and FHWA. Each liaison handles the Section 106 cases and program improvements for their respective agencies. The liaisons work closely with the funding agency's headquarters to develop work plans that improve case management and address program and policy issues. Several other liaison positions are under development.

Office of Communications, Education, and Outreach

The Office of Communications, Education, and Outreach (OCEO) conveys the ACHP's vision and message to partners, customers, and the general public using a full array of print and electronic media. Using agency graphic standards, this office develops and produces all ACHP print, electronic, and event products, including special reports, brochures, exhibits, and Web sites. It designs and maintains the ACHP Web site, the Preserve America Web site in cooperation with the White House, a Preserve America Federal partners Web site, and a password-protected Web site for ACHP members. In collaboration with Federal and non-Federal historic preservation partners nationally, this office will launch a new Web site (www.NHPA40.org) early in 2006 to serve as a clearinghouse for national activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The OCEO also administers the ACHP's three major awards programs: the quarterly Chairman's Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation; the annual National Trust for Historic Preservation/ACHP Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation Award; and the Preserve America Presidential Award program, administered in close collaboration with the White House. At the February 2006 Council meeting the CEO committee will develop criteria for a new category of awards-the Preserve America Federal preservation awards that will encourage and commend Federal employees and programs that advance the Preserve America initiative's goals.

OCEO acts as agency liaison for preservation partners in the Preserve America initiative and cooperates with the Office of Preservation Initiatives in Community designations. OCEO also responds to all public inquiries-electronic, written, or voice-about the agency and its programs and Web sites, as well as inquiries about the national historic preservation program. Conference participation falls under OECO purview, as does speech writing and events creation, support, and management.

Press and media relations for the ACHP are also handled by OCEO. Such activities include Section 106 stories, placement of Preserve America stories in print media, press releases for ACHP meetings and award programs, utilization of an extensive Federal communications network to disseminate stories and notices, and cultivation of preservation press nationally.

Headed by a director, the office includes a communications coordinator who implements all aspects of the ACHP's public information program, including media outreach and events publicity and coordination. The

communications coordinator is a pivotal role for networking with other Federal communications specialists to coordinate the Preserve America message and promote historic preservation and heritage tourism. A Web/print designer creates and oversees production of all ACHP publications, maintains internal agency graphic standards, and creates new Web sites while maintaining existing sites. A writer/editor provides editorial services within OCEO and the agency as a whole. A program assistant facilitates the ACHP's award programs, conference participation, and is a liaison with the Federal Preservation Institute, in addition to providing database maintenance, administrative, and general professional support to the office.

Office of Administration

This office, led by a director who is aided by a budget analyst, meeting planner, administrative assistant, and two office assistants, oversees administrative, personnel, procurement, budget, and fiscal services and coordinates related services provided by DOI pursuant to interagency agreements. The office provides administrative and clerical support to ACHP members and the executive director and coordinates member participation in meetings. Office staff plan and execute ACHP meetings, form and execute budgets, coordinate the ACHP's customer service activities, and provide office-wide telephone, reception, and mail services.

Office of Information Technology

The Office of Information Technology, led by a director who is aided by an office systems assistant and an information technology specialist, provides central computer, information technology, e-mail, network, and telecommunications support to the ACHP. The office develops telecommunications and information management policy and adapts contemporary technology to the ACHP's operation and mission.

5. RECENT PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND

EFFECTS OF BUDGET REQUESTS ON PROGRAMS

To fulfill its mission and related statutory responsibilities, the ACHP pursues activities in five program areas (described more fully in Figure 8 on page 53):

(1) advocate preservation policy;

(2) improve Federal preservation programs; (3) protect and enhance historic properties;

(4) communicate the ACHP's message; and

(5) enhance the ACHP's organizational capabilities.

Guided by its strategic plan, the ACHP has been active in each of these areas in FY 2005 and has specific and conceptual plans for each area in FY 2006 and FY 2007. Below are some highlights of this work and a summary of the expected effect of the requested budget level on future activities.

Advocate Preservation Policy

Objectives

The NHPA established a national policy to promote the preservation and use of historic properties to meet the needs of contemporary society, such as stable communities, affordable housing, and economic development. Congress also directed the Federal Government, acting in partnership with State, tribal, and local governments and the private sector, to take a leadership role in carrying out this national policy.

Today, the long-term health of historic preservation in the United States depends in large part on the adoption of government policies favorable to the effective use of our historic resources. Decisions about the appropriate direction of such policies need to be based on reliable research and analysis, and the ACHP has an active role in compiling and developing such information.

With this information as a guide, the ACHP can advance policies that have the objective of supporting and encouraging historic preservation activities by all levels of government and the private sector. ACHP's activities range from advocating Federal policies that stimulate the private sector reuse of historic buildings, to encouraging specific Federal agencies to reinforce local preservation initiatives. The ACHP also promotes the Federal Government's leadership role in historic preservation by practice and example.