Bill Overview
Title: Fort San Gerónimo Preservation Act
Description: This bill establishes the Fort San Gerónimo del Boquerón in Puerto Rico as an affiliated area of the National Park System. The bill makes the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture the management entity for the affiliated area. The Department of the Interior shall develop a management plan for the affiliated area.
Sponsors: Resident Commissioner González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People in Puerto Rico
Estimated Size: 3330000
- The Fort San Gerónimo Preservation Act designates the site as an affiliated area of the National Park System, which typically focuses on preservation, tourism, and education.
- Designation as a National Park System affiliated area generally increases tourism, impacts local businesses, and creates educational opportunities.
- The site is located in Puerto Rico, directly impacting residents and organizations there.
- Tourism to Puerto Rico may increase due to greater recognition and preservation of the site, hence impacting people working in travel and tourism sectors.
Reasoning
- The Fort San Gerónimo Preservation Act establishes the site under the National Park System, likely leading to increased tourism and economic activity in Puerto Rico.
- Residents near the site, as well as those involved in culture and tourism sectors, are directly affected by the policy.
- The limited budget means the direct effects on people living inland or not involved in the tourism sector will be minimal.
- Interviews will include a range of impacts from none to high based on proximity and occupational involvement in tourism and culture.
Simulated Interviews
Tour guide (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great opportunity for San Juan. More tourists will mean more job security for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
University student (Bayamón, Puerto Rico)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about having better access to historical information and educational resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Travel agent (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good for business. Puerto Rico will be easier to sell as a destination with this new park addition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Local artist (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The preservation could bring more visitors to my exhibits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cultural historian (New York, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This adds more resources to my research fields, but I'm not directly affected by local developments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Business owner (Miami, Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Puerto Rico becoming more popular is good, it gives more travel product options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (San Germán, Puerto Rico)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to see preservation efforts, but it doesn't change much day-to-day for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Restoration architect (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This aligns perfectly with my work and I'm glad it solidifies funding for preservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
High school history teacher (Baltimore, Maryland)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can use this as a great example in my classes, making history come alive a bit more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Travel blogger (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This expansion will add variety to the travel experiences I can write about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4500000, High: $5500000)
Year 2: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 3: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Year 100: $4000000 (Low: $3500000, High: $4500000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term sustainability and local economic boost due to increased tourism.
- Cultural significance and preservation of a historic site to benefit educational and cultural outcomes.
- Collaboration between the Department of the Interior and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture for effective management.
- Potential local resistance or challenges related to site management and access.