Oklahoma tribal leaders warn proposed preservation-law changes could threaten sacred sites
Tribal leaders in Oklahoma say proposed changes to the National Historic Preservation Act could weaken protections for sacred sites, including ancestral earthworks in Ohio. Separate proposals from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Congress would narrow what counts as damage and make consultation optional. Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes says the consultation process should remain intact, while Senator Martin Heinrich says he is discussing possible compromises with tribal leaders.