The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation voted to advance proposed changes to rules governing federal reviews of projects that could affect historic sites. The Trump administration says the revisions would reduce delays to construction and infrastructure schemes, while critics argue they could weaken public scrutiny and protections for culturally significant places.

The rules concern Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to consider impacts on historic properties. The proposals could make it easier for agencies to proceed without public input in some cases, potentially affecting projects nationwide as well as President Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington. The council, whose 24 members are largely Trump appointees, must still complete the rulemaking process, including public consultation.