House panel to consider adding three more heritage areas
Posted on July 10th, 2007By Dan Berman
E&E News: The House Parks Subcommittee this week considers legislation that would create three new national heritage areas, one of which would cover the entire city of Tucson, Ariz.
H.R. 1885 from subcommittee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) would establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, which would primarily recognize the “living traditions and the abundance of well-preserved historic and archaeological resources” of the unique multicultural history of the region, according to the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance.
National heritage areas are locations “where natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography,” according to the National Park Service, which helps oversee the program. There are currently 37 national heritage areas or corridors, including the entire state of Tennessee. Ten new heritage areas were signed into law last year alone.
Most heritage area bills authorize up to $10 million over 15 years in federal spending, making them a target for fiscal conservatives. At recent hearings, the Park Service has said it would prefer Congress pass a legislative framework to organize and manage the heritage area system before approving new sites.
Last year, a NPS advisory board called for a study to ensure that future heritage areas meet basic criteria to qualify for the national designation and protect the rights of private property owners. Such reforms are needed to ensure heritage areas have a long-term commitment from the federal government, to ensure meaningful partnerships with communities and states, the panel stated (Greenwire, July 25, 2006).
The subcommittee will also consider H.R. 1145, a bill from Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) to establish the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. The bill cites the region’s “natural and cultural history,” including the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the birthplace of Hellen Keller and the W.C. Handy Birthplace Home and Museum.
In New England, Rep. John Olver’s (D-Mass.) bill would create the “Freedom’s Way” National Heritage Area spanning several towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. H.R. 1297 would commemorate sites that helped develop the “national character of America,” ranging from the American Revolution, to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy of transcendentalism, to 19th century abolitionism.
Also on the agenda are:
H.R. 105, to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia.
H.R. 1083, to add Butler County, Pa., to the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
H.R. 1815, to extend the authorization for New Jersey’s Coastal Heritage Trail.
Schedule: The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, in 1324 Longworth.
Witnesses: Janet Snyder Matthews, National Park Service associate director for cultural resources. Others TBA.