"Endangered Landscapes" the Next Spotted AHLs?
Preservationists Launch New Federal Agenda For Land Use Controls
By Erich Veyhl
Either a state and/or local group could ask the National Park Service that an area be studied for AHA designation... Studies would be undertaken with full participation by the National Park Service, state, and local groups followed by the preparation of a comprehensive implementation/action plan with which all parties agree... the Service wold review the plan formally and would certify the plan. The plan would be transmitted ... to Congress ... for its designation and specific funding needs that would be matched by state, local, private, and/or non-profit funds... The National Park Service could initiate a study at the discretion of the Director... The area can be either large or small ... An analysis of the natural, cultural, and recreational resources within the study area must demonstrate, through an inventory indicating already established levels of significance, that the identifiable geographic area is not nationally significant as defined by the National Park Service for units of the National Park System... The area must offer demonstrated recreation potential for visitor use, education, and enjoyment... The AHA Plan must have the endorsement of all applicable jurisdictions [and] be consistent with: state, local, and regional plans; economic objectives; environmental quality; and social concerns. The hallmark of the system is the establishment of a partnership among Federal, state, and local interests to achive mutual goals. This partnership may be initiated by local, state and private interests or by the NPS at the Director's discretion or at the request of Congress. Legislation would be requested that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior [NPS] to study the viability of an AHA and report back to the Congress with his statement of eligibility for designation as an AHA unit. Once an authorization is enacted and appropriation made, the American Heritage Area Planning Phase begins. This phase of work brings all the parties together under one umbrella to reach agreement on required studies, resource inventories, strategies, assessment of impacts, public participation, and development of a planning report. The National park Service will certify that the purpose and criteria have been met, that studies, plans, and commitments are in place, and that the provisions of the proposed legislation authorizing a system of American Heritage Areas have been followed. The legislation designating a particular AHA would establish the terms and conditions for further Federal involvement, authorize funding, and identify other special conditions unique to the particular AHA. The tables on the adjacent page provide information about the costs avoided by the Federal government by using the AHA System. No attempt is made to estimate the costs to the states or local governments; however, it is anticipated that an AHA would create service industry jobs and generate tourism income, resulting in some level of tax-generated income to the state and /or local units of government. To complete the analysis, we assume a 50/50 matching ration and an average annual cost to run a unit of the National Park System of $2.0 million. The AHA System will cost the National Park Service some money. However, based on our analysis, we believe the cost avoidance is significantly higher than if the same area were to come into the National park System because of the perpetual operation and maintenance costs associate with NPS units. [Claimed benefits to NPS:] Ensuring success by requiring all jurisdictions involved to endorse project. [not included in 1992 version]
Copyright © 1992, 2004, Erich Veyhl, All Rights Reserved
page last updated 7/4/04