News

May

2022

U.S. Senate Committee Approves Legislation Key to the Future of National Heritage Areas

U.S. Senate Committee Approves Legislation Key to the Future of National Heritage Areas
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advances legislation that benefits the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 05, 2022

Yuma, Arizona – The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced an amended version of the National Heritage Area Act, or S. 1942, that will provide long-term authorization for America’s National Heritage Areas (NHAs) and a steady stream of federal funding for these critical designations, including the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) located in Yuma, Arizona. The Committee approved the legislation on Tuesday, May 3, without opposition through a bipartisan voice vote.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 05, 2022

The original S. 1942 bill was introduced by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and has 15 bipartisan co-sponsors. Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-WV) are sponsoring similar legislation in the House. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) are strong supporters of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, including introducing an individual reauthorization bill (S. 1318) in the Senate. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced companion individual legislation (H.R. 7157) in the House.

“The successful passage of this legislation is important for Yuma and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area which has been restoring, preserving, maintaining, and promoting Yuma’s history for nearly 20 years. It is important for our young people to be able to experience their history firsthand,” said Lowell Perry, YCNHA Executive Director. “Anyone who has enjoyed the Yuma East and West Wetlands, the Colorado River State Historic Park, and Yuma Territorial Prison understands the importance of the Heritage Area program being adequately funded for generations to come,” he continued.

The National Heritage Area Act establishes standard criteria for the funding, management, and designation of National Heritage Areas across the country and sets an annual authorization of up to $1 million for all National Heritage Areas. S. 1942 takes aim at a challenge that as many as 45 existing NHAs will experience in the next two years, when their authorization sunsets and must be approved by Congress, typically through an individual bill. If enacted, the National Heritage Area Act would prevent future funding cliffs.

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area plays a crucial role in the preservation and improvement of natural, cultural, and historic resources of Yuma including:

Leading commercial revitalization efforts along the downtown riverfront since 2004, and Yuma relies on our partnering ability to get things done.
Managing and operating the two state historic parks located in Yuma, the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (YTP), and the Colorado River State Historic Park (CRSHP). The YTP is one of the most visited historic attractions in the entire state of Arizona.
Helping to drive tourism to Yuma, as a source of popular and inexpensive, safe activities for families. This includes indoor and outdoor museums, as well as recreation along the Lower Colorado River. All of these important activities could go away if the sun setting of Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area were to happen.
YCNHA engages hundreds of local volunteers annually in community projects. A recent event of note involved international agricultural firm, Gowan Company. Over 500 Gowan employees from around the world volunteered to plant over 700 trees and shrubs in a 7-acre section of the West Wetlands Park.

President Ronald Reagan established National Heritage Areas in 1984 when he signed a bill that created the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area. Since then, 54 additional NHAs have come online across the United States, all through community-led efforts. Rather than an enclosed park as is typical of other programs administered by the National Park Service (NPS), NHAs are lived-in spaces that often span large geographic areas that cross multiple jurisdictions, including 591 counties in 34 states.

NHAs, run by a local coordinating entity (YCNHA) and receive matching funds through the National Park Service but are not National Park units. Importantly, they do not affect the private property rights of existing landowners within or adjacent to an NHA designation. In addition to congressionally authorized matching funds, NPS provides technical assistance and a strong partnership. A 2012 study determined that NHAs are responsible for a nearly $13 billion economic impact in the communities they serve – a nearly 500% return on their federal funding.

Over the last several years, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA), of which Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is a member, has worked to pass legislation that would secure the future for all of America’s National Heritage Areas and has strongly supported the National Heritage Area Act. The organization developed a short video to explain the importance of NHAs and the need for a uniform system of funding and reauthorization.

“The Alliance of National Heritage Areas applauds the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and in particular Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso, for giving a stamp of approval to the National Heritage Area Act,” said Sara Capen, Chair of ANHA. “This legislation will ensure that our members can continue to do what they do best: explore and celebrate the people and places that made America what it is today. We are also deeply indebted to Senators Stabenow and Blunt, whose tireless efforts are why the National Heritage Area Act is one step closer to crossing the finish line.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Halligan, 928-373-5190 - Sarah.Halligan@Yumaaz.gov