Bill Overview
Title: National Heritage Area Act
Description: This act establishes a National Heritage Area System. The Department of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance to local coordinating entities to support the establishment, development, and continuity of such areas. The National Heritage Area System shall be composed of each National Heritage Area, National Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Canalway, Cultural Heritage Corridor, National Heritage Route, and National Heritage Partnership designated by Congress before or on enactment of this act; and each National Heritage Area designated by Congress after enactment of this act. A National Heritage Area shall not be considered to be a unit of the National Park System nor subject to the authorities applicable to such units. Interior may carry out or review a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of each proposed heritage area for designation as a National Heritage Area. Interior must review and certify whether the proposed area meets specified requirements, including that it has natural, historic, and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States. An area shall be designated as a National Heritage Area only by an act of Congress. Interior shall conduct studies to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating specified areas in Hawaii as the Kaena Point National Heritage Area and in Virginia and North Carolina as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area. The act also (1) establishes or extends specified National Heritage Areas, (2) redesignates the America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership in Iowa as the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, and (3) extends the deadline for the management plans for certain heritage areas.
Sponsors: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: People living in or near designated National Heritage Areas globally
Estimated Size: 25000000
- National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated regions in the U.S. where natural, cultural, and historical resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.
- The establishment of NHAs provides economic benefits by supporting tourism and vacation industries in these regions.
- Local populations within NHAs could receive economic and social benefits due to increased tourism and attention to their cultural and historical sites.
- Stakeholders such as local coordinating entities involved in the establishing and managing of NHAs will receive direct support through technical and financial assistance.
- Culturally and historically diverse communities, including indigenous and minority groups located in these areas, may experience both an increase in recognition and unique challenges if not appropriately managed.
Reasoning
- I need to select a diverse range of interviewees representing various demographics and geographic locations within and around National Heritage Areas (NHAs).
- It's important to select both individuals who are heavily involved in NHAs and those who might experience indirect impacts.
- Some interviewees will have little or no awareness of NHAs, representing the broader audience that might not notice impactful changes.
- Considering economic benefits, I'll include those whose livelihoods are connected to tourism or heritage sectors.
- I'll include individuals from the reassessed areas in Virginia and North Carolina to capture potential new designations.
Simulated Interviews
Tourism consultant (Richmond, Virginia)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy will boost local tourism, positively impacting business prospects.
- There might be challenges if the funding or recognition is not well-distributed among affected areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Farmer (Iowa)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the redesignation brings more awareness to our community's agricultural heritage.
- If managed right, it can support local farmers financially through increased agri-tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Historian (National Heritage Corridor, Massachusetts)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The systemization of NHAs is essential for preserving our cultural history.
- I'm concerned about the potential politicization of heritage decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Student (Asheville, North Carolina)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Great Dismal Swamp designation would enrich my education and future career prospects.
- I'm excited about any initiatives that support conservation efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
IT Technician (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm generally disconnected from NHAs, but I value historical and cultural preservation.
- It seems like a good effort for local regions, although I'm peripheral to the policy's impact.
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 |
Innkeeper (Near Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could be a game-changer for increasing my customer base.
- Preserving our natural and cultural resources is crucial, and NHAs can help.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (New York City, New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I live in a city, I appreciate the significance of heritage areas.
- The policy likely won't affect my daily life but supports broader cultural efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cultural Anthropologist (Louisiana)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Research into NHAs is crucial for understanding cultural heritage dynamics.
- I'm concerned about potential negative impacts on indigenous communities if not properly managed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Business owner (Houston, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business is not directly influenced by NHAs, but I value cultural preservation efforts.
- Policy like this strengthens national and community identity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired school teacher (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- our community thrives on heritage tourism, and the policy should boost this further.
- I worry about adequate funding reaching areas truly in need.
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 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $25800000 (Low: $20700000, High: $30900000)
Year 3: $26600000 (Low: $21300000, High: $31900000)
Year 5: $28200000 (Low: $22500000, High: $33900000)
Year 10: $32200000 (Low: $25700000, High: $38700000)
Year 100: $90000000 (Low: $72000000, High: $108000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential environmental impacts and the need for sustainable tourism practices in NHAs.
- Engagement with local communities and indigenous groups to ensure cultural preservation.
- Coordination with state and local governments for effective management.
- Ensuring funding levels are sufficient for long-term sustainability.
- Monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the economic and social impacts of NHAs.