Important Save the Shaker Lakes Parklands: Historic Preservation Law Threatened

The Issue
The Shaker Lakes Parklands were previously rescued from demolition by a proposed thruway project.  An outpour of public engagement and support successfully stopped destruction of the picturesque historic lakes and landscape. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was implemented in 1966 to protect valued places like the Shaker Lakes Parklands through federal law.  The purpose of this national preservation policy was to protect the nation’s historic heritage from destruction caused by federal development. 

The NHPA mandates that federal agencies act as stewards of historic properties and must, for example:

1) Consider a wide range of alternatives for a federal undertaking. 

2) Avoid, Minimize, and Mitigate damage to historic properties.

3) Include public views and participation.

NHPA regulations that enforce this law through the Section 106 Review Process are in danger.  This regulatory process provides the foundation for public participation and effective safeguards for the preservation of the Shaker Lakes Parklands.  Proposed regulatory revisions would essentially nullify protection for historic and cultural properties, and remove community input from the consultation and decision-making process for federal projects.

The public must resist these regulatory changes in order to preserve our nation’s historic and cultural heritage.  Citizens are encouraged to contact their elected officials and contribute to a robust letter-writing campaign, expressing strong opposition to the proposed revisions and urging their withdrawal.

Watch the webinar on the NHPA website: https://savingplaces.org/

Call to Action:

1) This week: Contact your elected officials.

2) Coming Weeks: A 30-day public comment period will soon be announced by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP).  Be prepared to submit public comments once the 30-day period is initiated.

Contact Your Representatives 

U.S. State Representative: Congresswoman Shontel Brown:   

Staff: Jasmine Butler: mailto:jasmine.Butler@mail.house.gov  and   Bradley Deane:  mailto:bradley.deane@mail.house.gov

Cleveland Office Phone: (216) 522-4900. Washington, D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-7032 (Rep. Shontel Brown's main office)

Ohio State representative: Juanita Brent (614) 719-3912

Ohio State Senate: Kent Smith (614) 466-4857

U.S. Senators of Ohio: Bernie Moreno(202) 224-2315; Jon Husted (202) 224-3353

We will continue to communicate updates with you.

We seek your ideas and invite you to volunteer time with this grassroots effort.

Place a Save Shaker Lakes red sign on your lawn.   To obtain a sign, contact: Mary Boyle mailto:maryboyle074@gmail.com

Thank you!

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