Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4238
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-15T01:31:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill designates the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania as a component of the National Heritage Area System, amending the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (a law that supports conservation and heritage areas). The goal is to promote preservation, management, and recreation in this region.
Key Provisions
- Designation: Establishes the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area, covering Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties in 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., as the entity responsible for coordinating activities.
- Management Plan: The local entity must submit a proposed management plan to the Secretary of the Interior for approval within 3 years of enactment.
- Funding and Assistance Timeline: The Secretary can provide assistance (e.g., technical or financial support) for 15 years after enactment, after which authority ends.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area as a new entry (subsection (14)) to the list of designated National Heritage Areas in Section 6001(a) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Act.
- Applies existing management, assistance, and termination rules from the Dingell Act to this new area, with specific timelines for the management plan and assistance cutoff.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior (via the Secretary) gains responsibility for boundary setting, plan approval, and limited-term assistance, potentially increasing short-term administrative workload.
- Citizens and Local Communities: Could boost heritage preservation, tourism, education, and recreation in the specified Pennsylvania counties, fostering economic benefits like job creation in tourism while protecting cultural and natural resources.
- No notable international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders
- Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc.: Acts as the local coordinating entity, leading planning and implementation.
- Residents and Businesses in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wyoming Counties, and adjacent areas: Directly affected by preservation efforts and potential tourism growth.
- Secretary of the Interior and National Park Service: Oversee designation, boundaries, plan approval, and assistance.
- Pennsylvania State and Local Governments: May collaborate on management and benefit from federal support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Integrates seamlessly into the existing National Heritage Area framework under the Dingell Act; includes a built-in sunset clause (15 years) to limit long-term federal involvement, promoting fiscal responsibility.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands and spending.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Senators McCormick and Fetterman); represents targeted federal recognition for regional heritage without mandating land acquisition or regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (3 pages)