Bill Overview
Title: Amache National Historic Site Act
Description: This bill establishes the Amache National Historic Site in Colorado as a unit of the National Park System to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations resources associated with the incarceration of civilians of Japanese ancestry during World War II at Amache, also known as the Granada Relocation Center, and the military service of incarcerees at the Granada Relocation Center. The National Historic Site shall not be established until the date on which the Department of the Interior determines that a sufficient quantity of land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable park unit. After Interior makes such a determination, it shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the establishment of the historic site. Interior may acquire only by donation any land or interests in land located within the boundary of the Camp Amache National Historic Landmark. Any acquired lands or interests in land shall be included within the boundary of the historic site. Interior must prepare a general management plan for the historic site. Interior may enter into agreements with public or private entities to establish and operate facilities outside of the exterior boundary of the historic site for administration, visitor services, and curation of personal property; and other public or private entities to carry out this bill. Interior shall provide the town of Granada, Colorado, with access to those areas of the historic site determined necessary for the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure and appurtenances. Additionally, Interior may permit the town of Granada to construct or install new water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances limited to the areas determined to be necessary. Finally, Interior may accept, for addition to and administration as part of the historic site, the donation of water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances within the boundary of the site (including associated water rights) if the water infrastructure, systems, or appurtenances are no longer used by the town of Granada.
Sponsors: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Target Audience
Population: Visitors, historians, educators, and descendants connected to the Amache National Historic Site
Estimated Size: 6600000
- The bill is aimed at preserving the history and memory of the Japanese Americans who were incarcerated at the Amache site during World War II.
- The establishment of this site will affect visitors to national parks, as this will add a new site to the National Park System.
- Local residents, particularly those in the town of Granada, Colorado, may be directly impacted by decisions regarding land use and infrastructure.
- Japanese American communities, particularly those with familial or historical connections to those who were interned at Amache, may be culturally impacted.
- Historians, educators, and students interested in WWII and civil rights history may benefit from the resources provided by the historic site.
- The local economy might experience changes due to increased tourism, which may impact businesses and employment around the site.
Reasoning
- The primary population impacted by this policy includes visitors to historic sites, particularly those interested in World War II and Japanese American history. Many people in different roles, such as educators and historians, might find value in such a site, offering both educational resources and an opportunity to engage with this important historical narrative.
- Local residents, especially those from Granada, Colorado, could experience direct effects from this policy due to changes in tourism, infrastructure adjustments, and cultural significance brought by the site.
- Members of the Japanese American community, including descendants of those interned, are likely to see significant cultural benefits from the establishment of this site. It serves as a recognition of their history and offers a space of memory and education for their community and the wider public.
- Given the budget constraints, the policy needs to carefully manage its resources to acquire the necessary land and establish facilities for effective site management, considering the needs for administration, visitor services, and curation of historical resources.
Simulated Interviews
History Professor (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe it's crucial to preserve the history of our community and the hardships faced during internment. This site will not only honor those who suffered but educate future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Granada, Colorado)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More tourists could mean more business, but I'm worried about how construction might disrupt daily life. Still, increased visitors would help the town economically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
National Park Service Ranger (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This new site offers a chance to educate people about a critical part of American history. It will also require careful planning to balance preservation with public access and education.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student in American History (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to a dedicated historic site would vastly improve my research opportunities and provide a tangible connection to the period I'm studying.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Japanese American Community Leader (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A site that conveys the history of internment is crucial for future generations; maintaining our history ensures it isn't forgotten.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
High School History Teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such a site would be an invaluable resource for teaching, providing a powerful, real-world perspective for my students on civil rights and American history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Museum Curator (New York, New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Integrating more of these sites into our museum networks helps us broaden education and cultural dialogue about American history and justice.
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 |
University Student (San Francisco, California)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an untold part of our history. Having such a place would allow me and others to engage critically with past injustices and learn from them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civil Rights Advocate (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition and education about historical injustices like Japanese internment are essential for progress in civil rights. This site is a step toward acknowledgment and healing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Journalist (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new historic site could serve as a cultural hub and a reminder of resilience, offering stories that must be heard in our media and by my audience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2750000 (Low: $2250000, High: $3250000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 5: $3250000 (Low: $2750000, High: $3750000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4500000, High: $5500000)
Key Considerations
- Land must be acquired by donation, reducing immediate capital costs, but may lengthen the establishment process.
- The potential impact on tourism and local economies could vary depending on the site's visitor attraction effectiveness and ongoing investments in promotion and accessibility.
- The initiative supports cultural preservation and education, which may lead to additional volunteerism and private support.
- The need for ongoing maintenance and potential infrastructure upgrades could vary in cost over time.