History beneath the surface: Natural gas pipelines and the National Historic Preservation Act

Abstract

This article is a case study of how natural gas pipelines have been treated under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). It examines three recent pipeline projects that involved determinations of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. In one case, a pipeline firm sought an exemption from Section 106 review, and this led to a proposed congressional amendment to the NHPA. In order to forestall a legislative amendment, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation issued an administrative exemption from Section 106 review for natural gas pipelines. This essay traces the process and events that led to this exemption. ©2004 by the Regents of the University of California and the National Council on Public History. All rights reserved.