Preparing for the Coming Storm: the Legal Framework Governing Cultural Heritage in Natural

Preparing for the Coming Storm: The Legal Framework Governing Cultural Heritage In Natural Disasters

In 2011 and 2012 we saw a seemingly unprecedented number of natural disasters around the world, such as the Port-au-Prince Earthquake, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Yet scientists warn the worst is still to come. With these weather related calamities fast becoming the “new normal,” we all must reassess how we prepare and respond to such crises.

The human and economic loss of natural disasters is staggering, and should always be our focus, but there is another cost that also warrants our attention: that of our cultural heritage— the objects, places, and traditions that define us as individuals, societies, nations, civilizations, and even human beings. It may be tangible, as in artifacts, antiquities, art, monuments, archaeological sites, historic buildings, and sacred places. Or intangible, such as knowledge, beliefs, and practices. It can even be natural, for example, culturally significant landscapes. We inherit this legacy from past generations and have a responsibility to preserve it for the next. But protecting such cultural heritage is difficult under the best of circumstances and next to impossible in the chaos of a natural disaster.

Nonetheless, governments, organizations, and individuals are working hard to face this challenge. The law — both national and international — is just beginning to understand its role in this process. While it has long sought to protect cultural heritage from the acts of man, ranging from commercial development to outright war, it has only recently sought to do the same for acts of nature. Of course, unlike man, nature cannot be held accountable for its acts in the courts. But there is still a great deal the law can do to safeguard cultural heritage before and after natural disasters. This panel will address the changing administrative and legal framework governing cultural heritage in times of natural disaster.

Tess Davis, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, Moderator

Panelists: Robert Collins, General Counsel, Office of Louisiana Inspector General Marsh Davis, President, Indiana Landmarks John Norris, Property Manager, Felicity Redevelopment James Reap, Associate Professor, University of Georgia John Stubbs, Director of Preservation Studies, Tulane University Ole Varmer, Attorney-Advisor, International Section of the General Counsel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter Presents:

Preparing for the Coming Storm: The Legal Framework Governing Cultural Heritage in Natural Disasters

Friday, January 25, 2013 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Historic New Orleans Collection, Williams Research Center 410 Charters Street in the French Quarter

Application for 3 hours of CLE pending **Pre-registration is encouraged.

Registration Form Name: ______Firm/Employer: ______Phone: ______Email: ______Address: ______

Enclosed Fee: ______

For lawyers seeking CLE credit: $75 FBA Members $100 non-FBA Members

Those not seeking CLE credit: $25 members of the Historic New Orleans Collection $50 general public

Please return this form and remittance to: Camille Zeller, Attorney Conference Center 500 Poydras St., Room B364 New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone (504) 589-7990 Fax (504) 589-7995 Email - [email protected]

** No Refunds after January 21, 2013 **