Designations Begin Expiring As Early as Fiscal Year 2013
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced legislation, the National Heritage Area Authorization Act, that would reauthorize historic area designations at four Pennsylvania sites for the next decade. The bipartisan bill would reauthorize the Rivers of Steel Industry National Heritage Area, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National Heritage Area, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area as National Heritage Areas for the next decade.
“Preserving Pennsylvania’s historic areas will protect our state’s history and grow the economy by attracting tourists from throughout the country,” Senator Casey said. “This bipartisan legislation will give our Heritage Areas the certainty in knowing that they’ll be designated for another ten years.”
“Pennsylvania is home to dozens of historic sites that have shaped the story of our nation- it’s important we do what we can to preserve them for future generations,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan bill to protect the historical treasures of Pennsylvania’s 8th District, and others statewide, is a common sense step to ensure we remember our important roots.”
“Our National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form an important landscape. These areas tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage,” said Congressman Cartwright. “This grassroots, community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development must be preserved, with multiple Heritage Areas in the 17th District I am proud to be a part of this legislation.”
National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Through their resources, NHAs tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage. NHAs are lived-in landscapes. Consequently, NHA entities collaborate with communities to determine how to make heritage relevant to local interests and needs.
The bipartisan bill would reauthorize the following National Heritage Areas:
Three NHAs set to expire at the end of FY 2013 would be reauthorized under the bill:
- Rivers of Steel Industry National Heritage Area
- Lackawanna Heritage Valley National Heritage Area
- Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
One NHA set to expire at the end of FY 2015 would be reauthorized under the bill:
- Schuylkill River National Heritage Area
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