To:          American Cultural Resources Association & Interested Others
From:        Loretta Neumann, CEHP Incorporated
Subject:             HISTORIC MILITARY HOUSING THREATENED
 
        Historic homes on military installations would be demolished if House-Senate
conferees agree to  language in the Senate report that accompanies H.R.3517,
the Military Construction Appropriations Act of 1997.  The conferees have
been appointed, but they have not yet begun their conference. Usually staff
work these things in advance, however, and the decision on this issue could
happen soon.  Language in the Senate report requires each service to review
their inventories of historic hones and provide a report on specific plans
"to remove all but the most significant historic homes."  According to the
report, military housing accounts are "overburdened" with historic quarters,
and "this situation with only worsen as the number of homes eligible for
placement on the register continues to grow."  The report, which would have
to be submitted to the Appropriations Committee by March 25, 1997, "should
provide what statutory impediments are being encountered in implementing such
plans."  Following is the full text of the language, which is contained in
S.Rpt 104-287:
 
        The Committee agrees with the Marsh panel that historic quarters maintained
by the military are overburdening the housing accounts.  In the future, this
situation with only worsen as the number of homes eligible for placement on
he register continues to grow.  There are 2,675 on the national historic
register which must comply with the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966.  Any substantive work on these homes must receive prior approval from
the various historic preservation boards.  The Committee directs each service
to review current inventories of historic quarters and provide a report to
the appropriate committees on specific plans to remove all but he more
significant historic homes.  The report should provide what statutory
impediments are being encountered in implementing such plans.  This report
should be provided to the Committee not later than March 25, 1997.
 
Following are the members of the House/Senate Conference Committee:
 
      Senate conferees:
 
Republicans:
Conrad Burns (MT)
Ted Stevens (AK)
Judd Gregg (NH)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (CO)
Mark Hatfield (OR)
 
Democrats:
Harry Reid (NV)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Herb Kohl (WI)
Robert Byrd (WV)
 
     House conferees:
 
Republicans
Barbara Vucanovich (NV)
Sonny Callahan (AL)
Joseph McDade (PA)
John Myers (IN)
John Porter (IL)
Ernest Istook (OK)
Roger Wicker (MS)
Bob Livingston (LA)
 
Democrats:
W.G. Hefner (NC)
Tom Foglietta (PA)
Peter Visclosky (IN)
Esteban Edward Torres (CA)
Daivd Obey (WI)