Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) praised House passage of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, legislation that includes a bill he introduced that will begin the process of designating land in Pacific, Wahkiakum, Clatsop, and Columbia counties at the mouth of Columbia River as a National Heritage Area.  The Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act first passed the House last year.  After passing the Senate last week as part of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, the Columbia-Pacific National Heritage Area Study Act will now be sent to the President’s desk for signature.   

“Today, Congress recognized the historic and cultural significance of this region, and this is an important step to preserve the mouth of the Columbia River for generations to come,” said Rep. Baird.  “Once the areas at the mouth of the Columbia River are designated as a National Heritage Area, millions of federal dollars will be available to promote tourism in the region, create jobs, and strengthen our local economy.”
National Heritage Areas unite disparate parts of a historically and culturally significant area under a common purpose.  Baird’s bill authorizes the National Park Service and local stakeholders to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed area – including land in Pacific, Wahkiakum, Clatsop, and Columbia counties at the mouth of Columbia River.  The study, which is the first step Congress must take to designate the land as National Heritage Area, can take up to three years.  The study will examine a number of elements including whether the proposed area has natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, or recreational resources that are important to our nation’s heritage.
Once the feasibility study is complete, the lawmakers will likely introduce new legislation to officially designate the land as a National Heritage Area.  After the designation passes the House and Senate and is signed into law, local and regional stakeholders must develop a management plan for the area.  The Secretary of the Interior will then approve the management plan, making the National Heritage Area eligible for $10 million over 15 years. 

“The rich history and cultural significance of the lands at the mouth of the Columbia demands that it be designated a National Heritage area,” said Baird.  “A National Heritage Area will help continue this momentum and ensure the region continues to attract families, outdoorsmen and women, history buffs, and others to enhance its sustainable tourism economy.”

There are 24 National Heritage Areas across the country; the lawmakers are working to secure the first National Heritage Area on the West Coast.  Congressman Baird has worked closely with local business and civic leaders, representatives from state and local governments, and federal officials at the Department of Interior on this project.  In a Congressional hearing held last year, the Administration endorsed this legislation.

Congressman Baird wrote the bill that established the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park at the mouth of the Columbia River as well as the law that preserved portions of the Upper White Salmon River.  Congressman Baird also co-founded the congressional National Parks Caucus and has introduced legislation to increase funding for national park maintenance and natural and cultural preservation projects.

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