Defend Section 106, the Tribal voice in decisions about sacred places

Why this Matters

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act gives Tribal Nations, communities, local governments, preservation professionals, and the public a voice before federal decisions damage historic places, according to the 106Strong Coalition. The coalition says it has more than 1,100 participating organizations, and that this protection faces regulatory, legislative, and executive threats.

One of those threats is in the permitting bill now before the Senate, S. 5653. A policy analysis hosted on the Western Environmental Law Center's website, dated October 2026, says the bill would narrow which activities trigger Section 106 review, let federal agencies decide whether a historic property exists, and let the government rule that other considerations outweigh harm to sacred places. It says the bill would also strip a Tribe of its status and funding for future reviews if it misses a deadline. A K&L Gates analysis dated October 2 says Senator Shelley Moore Capito wants the bill to be the first vote when the Senate returns after the November 3 election.

The coalition's own page asks organizations to sign an open letter to Congress, and asks individuals to sign up for alerts and share the campaign. It also lists a November 9 rally but gives no place or year, so check the coalition's site before you plan to go. ECC is amplifying the coalition and does not claim a partnership with it.

Steps to Take

Step 1

Read what is at stake. The 106Strong Coalition site explains Section 106, and the policy analysis of S. 5653 has a short section on how the bill would change it.

Step 2

Contact your own senators. Oregonians can reach Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley. Ask them to keep Section 106 review intact in any permitting bill, and to protect a Tribe's ability to take part in decisions about sacred places.

Step 3

Add a sentence about why places matter to you, whether a shell midden, a river, a cemetery, or a building in your town.

Step 4

Stay informed. The coalition's site has an alerts sign-up; ECC could not see what information it collects, so read what it asks before you join.

Step 5

If you plan to attend the November 9 rally, check the coalition's site for the place and year. Its page lists the rally but gives neither.

Sample Text

Option 1

I live in [your town], Oregon, and I am asking Senator [Wyden or Merkley] to protect Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in any permitting bill, including S. 5653. Section 106 gives Tribal Nations and communities a voice before federal decisions harm sacred and historic places. I oppose changes that narrow its reach or penalize Tribes for missing a deadline. [Add a sentence about a place that matters to you.] Please tell me where you stand.

Option 2

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act gives Tribes and communities a say before federal decisions harm sacred and historic places, and a permitting bill in the Senate would weaken it. The 106Strong Coalition has the facts: https://www.106strong.com/

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