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Idaho Approves Merging Historic Preservation Office into New Agency
The move aims to consolidate state offices for federal permitting, but raises concerns from tribal leaders.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:51am
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The Idaho Senate has approved a bill to transfer the state's Historic Preservation Office into a newly formed agency that will oversee species conservation, mining, and energy. The bill's sponsor says the goal is to create a 'one-stop shop' for federal permitting, but opponents argue the change could threaten cultural resource protection.
Why it matters
The Historic Preservation Office plays a key role in coordinating with tribes and other stakeholders to prevent damage to historic and cultural sites during development projects. Critics fear the office may lose its focus on preservation under the new multi-purpose agency.
The details
House Bill 898 moves the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the newly formed Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. The bill's sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, says the goal is to improve coordination on federal permitting. However, the Kootenai Tribe has raised concerns that the change could negatively impact the office's ability to protect cultural resources.
- The Idaho Senate approved the bill on Monday, March 31, 2026.
- Earlier this year, the Legislature passed HB 737, which merged the Office of Species Conservation and Office of Energy Mineral Resources into the same new office.
The players
Lori Den Hartog
A Meridian Republican and the Senate Majority Leader, who sponsored the bill to merge the Historic Preservation Office into the new agency.
Kootenai Tribe
A Native American tribe that has expressed serious concerns about the potential impacts of moving the Historic Preservation Office to the new multi-purpose agency.
Josh Kohl
A Twin Falls Republican senator who appreciates the Historic Preservation Office's role in stopping the controversial Lava Ridge wind farm project.
Ron Taylor
A Hailey Democratic senator who noted the letter of support for the bill from power companies like Idaho Power, Avista, and Rocky Mountain Power.
What they’re saying
“We work closely with SHPO on many projects to prevent damage or destruction of irreplaceable historic sites and cultural resources. We have serious concerns about the potential impacts of moving the SHPO from an agency focused on resource protection to a multi-headed agency whose primary focus is resource extraction.”
— Kootenai Tribe, Leadership
“I look at some of the main supporters of this particular bill, and I wonder if they have Idaho's history in Idaho's best interest.”
— Ron Taylor, Senator
What’s next
The bill has passed both legislative chambers and will now head to Gov. Brad Little's desk for consideration of signature, veto, or to allow it to go into effect without signature.
The takeaway
This move highlights the tension between economic development and cultural preservation in Idaho. While the state aims to streamline permitting, critics fear the Historic Preservation Office may lose its focus on protecting irreplaceable historic and tribal sites under the new multi-purpose agency.
