H.R. 390

H.R. 390, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act

STATEMENT OF JOY BEASLEY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CULTURAL RESOURCES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND SCIENCE, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS, CONCERNING H.R. 390, THE MAURICE D. HINCHEY HUDSON RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ENHANCEMENT ACT.

June 27, 2024

Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the Department of the Interior on H.R. 390, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act.

The Department recognizes that there could be potential benefits in expanding the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (NHA), but recommends that the committee defer action on H.R. 390 until such time as the National Park Service (NPS) determines if this proposed expansion is appropriate.

H.R. 390 would expand the boundary of the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley NHA to include Saratoga and Washington Counties in the State of New York. Both counties are located within the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and portions of both counties are within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area NHA was authorized in 1996, to help preserve, protect, and interpret the history and resources of the Hudson River Valley. The region played an important role in the American Revolution and gave birth to significant developments in American art and architecture. It was important in the iron and textile industries and housed the first women’s labor union and secondary school. The NHA includes National Historic Sites, National Historic Landmarks, New York State Parks, and over 1,000 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Hudson River Valley Greenway (Greenway) is the management entity for the NHA and is comprised of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley.

Prior to beginning any effort to designate an area as a national heritage area, the NPS recommends that a feasibility study be conducted to assess several factors, including: whether the landscape has an assemblage of natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources that, when linked together, tell a nationally important story; whether an organization exists with the financial and organizational capacity to coordinate heritage area activities; and whether there is significant support for designation within the region.

A 1996 special resource study was conducted of 10 counties along the Hudson River. It found that the area’s resources were nationally significant and provided insight into the effect of natural landscapes on settlement, commercial and industrial growth, and into the development of our national political and cultural identity. The study found that the area, which had demonstrated successful partnership management, qualified as a national heritage area. The NPS recommends that the Greenway submit an addendum to the study that includes a boundary justification for the inclusion of Saratoga and Washington Counties. The addendum would document that the Greenway has reached out to the affected communities and that there is public support for the inclusion of their counties in the boundary of the NHA. Additionally, the addendum will demonstrate that the proposed inclusion of the counties supports the original intent of the NHA.

Once the Greenway completes the study addendum, the NPS will undertake its evaluation. The NPS recommends that the committee defer action on H.R. 390 until the study addendum is completed and the NPS can make a determination on the proposed expansion.

Chairman Tiffany, this concludes my testimony. I would be happy to answer any questions you or other members of the subcommittee may have.