Legislation Would Promote Tourism And Help Preserve The History And Environment Of The Finger Lakes Region
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced the bipartisan Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act, which would designate the Finger Lakes region as a National Heritage Area (NHA). NHAs are established by Congress to recognize a region’s natural, cultural, or historic significance. Securing this designation for the Finger Lakes would promote tourism and help ensure that the area’s history and natural landscape are preserved for generations to come.
“Home to beautiful landscapes, rich history, and thriving small businesses, the Finger Lakes are a national treasure,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In recognition of all that this area has to offer, I’m leading the push to designate the region as a National Heritage Area. This designation will promote tourism, create jobs, conserve natural resources, and make sure local communities have what they need to thrive for years to come. I am proud to introduce this bill alongside my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and I am committed to getting it signed into law.”
The Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24). The bill is endorsed by the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance.
“We are pleased to stand with Senator Gillibrand’s office, Congresswoman Tenney’s office and all of our regional partners as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area legislation is reintroduced into session, ” said Meghan Nulty, President & CEO of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance. “While we were all saddened that the legislation did not reach the President’s desk last year, we stand firm in our commitment to the National Heritage Area designation for this region. The core motivation to seek a National Heritage Area designation for the Finger Lakes remains unchanged: to do tourism more responsibly and to honor the reasons our region is a landmark worthy of sharing with the world. Our industry stands on the shoulders of the Haudenosaunee, the suffragists, the abolitionists and innovators that uniquely make up the story of America and our work continues hand-in-hand with Senator Gillibrand’s office, the NY Congressional Delegation and the support of our county-level and industry partners. We thank Senator Gillibrand and all our partners across the region for their support and assistance in getting the Finger Lakes region one step closer to this designation.”
The process for designating a region as a National Heritage Area usually involves two steps. First, Congress passes a bill directing the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study, which determines whether the area is suitable for being designated as an NHA. If the results of the feasibility study are positive, Congress then must pass a second bill to formally designate the region.
Gillibrand has been leading the push to designate the Finger Lakes as an NHA for years. In 2015, she first announced the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act, which directed the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study for the area. This bill was signed into law in 2019, and the National Park Service completed its feasibility study and confirmed the Finger Lakes’ eligibility in 2023. Now, the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act would complete the second step in the process and formally create the Finger Lakes NHA.
The following 14 New York counties would comprise the Finger Lakes NHA: Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates.
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