Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2697
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:56:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act (H.R. 2697) aims to recognize and promote the cultural, historical, natural, and recreational significance of the Finger Lakes region in New York by designating it as a new component of the National Heritage Area System. This system, managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, supports areas with shared heritage themes through planning, education, and conservation efforts without federal ownership of land.
Key Provisions
- Designation: Establishes the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area, encompassing 14 counties in New York (Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates).
- Local Coordinating Entity: Designates the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance as the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating activities, such as developing partnerships and promoting the area.
- Management Plan: Requires the local entity to submit a proposed management plan to the Secretary of the Interior for approval within 3 years of the bill's enactment. This plan would outline strategies for preserving resources, educating the public, and boosting tourism.
- Funding and Assistance: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance for up to 15 years after enactment, after which federal support ends.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 6001(a) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (enacted in 2019) by adding a new subsection (14). This expands the National Heritage Area System, which currently includes other designated areas across the U.S., by incorporating the Finger Lakes region. It also ties into the act's existing framework for management plans (Section 6001(c)) and assistance termination (Section 6001(g)(4)), applying the same 15-year limit without altering broader rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (via the National Park Service) will oversee approval of the management plan and provide limited assistance, potentially increasing administrative workload but fostering long-term preservation without new land acquisitions.
- Citizens and Local Communities: Residents in the 14 counties may benefit from enhanced tourism, economic development through heritage-related jobs, and improved access to recreational sites. It could promote education on local history (e.g., Native American, agricultural, and wine-making heritage) and environmental conservation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic heritage preservation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Entities: Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (as coordinator), county governments, and community organizations in the specified New York counties, who will lead implementation and benefit from federal support.
- Federal Government: U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service, responsible for oversight and assistance.
- Public: Residents, visitors, and businesses in the region, particularly those in tourism, agriculture, and recreation sectors, who gain from promoted cultural and natural resources.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal recognition of regional heritage under existing conservation laws, ensuring no federal land ownership or regulatory overreach—cooperation is voluntary and partnership-based. The 15-year sunset clause prevents indefinite federal involvement.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to manage public lands and promote general welfare (Article I, Section 8), with no apparent conflicts involving property rights or states' rights, as it relies on local coordination.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support for regional economic and cultural initiatives (introduced by Rep. Tenney, R-NY), potentially boosting local economies in upstate New York while advancing national goals for heritage tourism and conservation amid broader environmental policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act — issued 2025-04-07 — PDF (3 pages)