Economic Benefits: As a result of such legislative initiatives, preservation activities have come to represent a significant economic force in the United States, as demonstrated by the following points: - In a four year period (1982-1985), historic preservation investments under the Tax Act of 1981 accounted for approximately $8 billion in rehabilitation investment, $6 billion in local salaries generated, $17.2 billion in local sales and general business generated, and 342,860 person years of employment; (National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1986) - Every $100,000 spent on historic preservation results in over $250,000 in retail sales and $74,000 in new earnings; Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 1985) - More than 50% of annual construction expenditures in the U.S. are for rehabilitation of existing structures; (American Institute of Architects, 1986) - As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, historic preservation represents one of the few remaining areas for investment tax credits, an acknowledgment of the critical importance of historic preservation to the socioeconomic agenda in the U.S.; (Stipe and Lee, 1987) - It is estimated that up to $300 million is spent annually on archaeological activities alone by federal agencies, recipients of federal assistance, and regulated industries for compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA. (Stipe and Lee, 1987) National Historic Preservation Act Assessments of Preservation Today Premise: A Basis for Action