Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8114
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-16T08:07:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act (H.R. 8114) aims to designate a specific region in Pennsylvania as a new component of the National Heritage Area System. National Heritage Areas are regions recognized by Congress for their significant historical, cultural, and natural features, receiving federal support for preservation and promotion while managed locally.
Key Provisions
- Designation: Establishes the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, Pennsylvania, plus portions of other counties identified in a prior feasibility study. Exact boundaries will be set by the Secretary of the Interior based on that study.
- Local Coordinating Entity: Appoints Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. to manage the area.
- Management Plan: Requires the local entity to submit a proposed plan to the Secretary of the Interior for approval within 3 years of enactment.
- Funding and Assistance Timeline: Federal assistance from the Secretary ends 15 years after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 6001(a) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (2019) by adding the Endless Mountains area as the 14th National Heritage Area.
- Applies existing management, planning, and termination rules from that Act to the new area.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (via the National Park Service) will oversee boundaries, approve plans, and provide technical/financial assistance for up to 15 years, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens and Local Communities: Boosts preservation of cultural, historical, and natural resources in northeastern Pennsylvania; may enhance tourism, recreation, and economic development without mandating federal land ownership.
- No International Relations Impact: Purely domestic, focused on U.S. heritage.
Main Stakeholders
- Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. (leads local management).
- Residents, businesses, and tourism operators in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wyoming Counties, and adjacent areas.
- Secretary of the Interior and National Park Service (federal oversight and assistance).
- Conservation, historical, and recreation groups in Pennsylvania.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Standard congressional designation process; no new authorities or funding created—relies on existing law. Assistance is temporary (15 years), promoting self-sustaining local efforts.
- Constitutional: No issues; fits Congress's authority over federal lands and recognition programs.
- Political: Supports regional heritage preservation, likely bipartisan appeal for rural economic and cultural benefits; referred to House Committee on Natural Resources for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (3 pages)