Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 to extend the authorization of financial assistance with respect to the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
Description: This bill extends the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in New York until May 8, 2038.
Sponsors: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26]
Target Audience
Population: People visiting or residing near the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually from around the world.
- The area includes significant historical, cultural, and natural sites, impacting local communities economically through tourism and related activities.
- Financial assistance from the Department of the Interior supports maintenance, conservation, and promotional efforts for the Heritage Area, impacting tourists, local businesses, and residents reliant on these activities.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy includes both local residents around the Niagara Falls area and visitors, primarily Americans given its location.
- As the policy focuses on financial support for maintenance and promotion, it has varying impacts based on one's proximity to or reliance on the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
- Local businesses and residents whose livelihoods depend on tourism are directly impacted, while occasional visitors may experience indirect benefits through improved infrastructure and attractions.
- Due to budget restrictions, the policy offers limited direct financial gains to individuals, but benefits can be seen in community infrastructure and environment, which indirectly improves wellbeing.
- The simulation considers diverse perspectives, including individuals who are not directly impacted.
- Impact durations differ across individuals, with some experiencing continued benefits over the years if policy implementation leads to sustainable economic growth.
Simulated Interviews
small business owner (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy provides much-needed financial support to maintain the beauty and attraction of Niagara Falls.
- It could help businesses like mine by ensuring more tourists visit the area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
historian (Rochester, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy aids in preserving historically significant sites which are crucial for educational and cultural purposes.
- I support any initiative focused on heritage conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
college student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've only been to Niagara Falls once, but it's a beautiful site worth preserving.
- Although not directly impactful to me, such policies are vital for environmental conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired (Newark, NJ)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I look forward to my yearly visit to the falls.
- Financial support helps maintain the site, ensuring a pleasant experience for visitors like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
travel blogger (Toronto, Canada)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I'm Canadian, the preservation of Niagara Falls is globally significant.
- Policies like these ensure that tourism remains high without environmental degradation.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
local government official (Albany, NY)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy extension is crucial for maintaining the economic growth and tourism inflow to the region.
- It will help us continue development projects without interruption.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
school teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies supporting natural and historical sites enrich educational experiences.
- It may not directly impact me, but it enhances the learning resources available for field trips.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
retired engineer (Boston, MA)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased they are extending support for such a magnificent place.
- Our family travels there often, and I want my grandchildren to see it well-preserved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
restaurant owner (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for the heritage area boosts tourism, directly benefiting my business.
- Our local economy relies heavily on these policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
policy analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see long-term support for iconic natural sites, which require continuous investment for preservation.
- I analyze these policies for their impact, observing both direct and indirect effects on tourism and local improvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $2100000 (Low: $1600000, High: $2600000)
Year 5: $2200000 (Low: $1700000, High: $2700000)
Year 10: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy supports cultural heritage and conservation efforts, contributing to historical preservation.
- Tourism driven by the heritage area can provide significant economic benefits to the local economy, affecting numerous stakeholders.
- The success of this policy is partly contingent on external tourism trends and the overall appeal of the heritage area.