54 U.S.C. § 300101: Policy

use measures, including financial and technical assistance, to foster conditions under which our modern society and our historic property can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations; provide leadership in the preservation of the historic property of the United States and of the international community of nations and in the administration of the national preservation program; administer federally owned, administered, or controlled historic property in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations; contribute to the preservation of nonfederally owned historic property and give maximum encouragement to organizations and individuals undertaking preservation by private means; encourage the public and private preservation and utilization of all usable elements of the Nation’s historic built environment; and assist State and local governments, Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and the National Trust to expand and accelerate their historic preservation programs and activities.