Bill Summary
The "Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act" is a legislative bill aimed at designating the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania as part of the National Heritage Area System. This designation will cover Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, along with portions of other identified counties based on a feasibility study.
Key components of the bill include:
1. **Establishment**: It officially establishes the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
2. **Local Coordination**: The Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. will serve as the local coordinating entity responsible for managing the heritage area.
3. **Management Plan**: The designated coordinating entity must submit a management plan to the Secretary of the Interior within three years of the Act's enactment, outlining how the area will be preserved and managed.
4. **Duration of Authority**: The federal authority to provide assistance for this heritage area will last for 15 years from the date of enactment.
Overall, this legislation aims to promote conservation, recreation, and tourism in the Endless Mountains region while ensuring local involvement in its management.
Possible Impacts
The **Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act** could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Economic Development and Tourism**: The designation of the Endless Mountains as a National Heritage Area can attract tourism to the region. This could lead to increased business for local establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and shops, thereby boosting the local economy and creating job opportunities for residents.
2. **Cultural Preservation and Community Involvement**: As the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. becomes the local coordinating entity, there may be initiatives aimed at preserving local culture, history, and traditions. This can foster a sense of community pride and involvement among residents, encouraging them to participate in events and programs that celebrate their heritage.
3. **Environmental Conservation and Recreation Opportunities**: The management plan required under the Act may include strategies for environmental conservation and the enhancement of recreational opportunities in the area. Residents and visitors could benefit from improved access to parks, trails, and natural resources, promoting outdoor activities and a better quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8114 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8114
To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and
Recreation Act to designate as a component of the National Heritage
Area System the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in the State
of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 26, 2026
Mr. Meuser introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and
Recreation Act to designate as a component of the National Heritage
Area System the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in the State
of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Endless Mountains National Heritage
Area Act''.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF ENDLESS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Designation.--Section 6001(a) of the John D. Dingell, Jr.
Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9; 133
Stat. 768; 136 Stat. 6163) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(14) Endless mountains national heritage area.--
``(A) In general.--There is established as a
component of the National Heritage Area System the
Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in the State
of Pennsylvania, to consist of Bradford, Sullivan,
Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, Pennsylvania, and
any portions of other counties in the State of
Pennsylvania identified in the feasibility study for
the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area, the
specific boundaries of which shall be established by
the Secretary based on that feasibility study.
``(B) Local coordinating entity.--The Endless
Mountains Heritage Region, Inc., shall be the local
coordinating entity for the National Heritage Area
designated by subparagraph (A).''.
(b) Management Plan.--For the purposes of section 6001(c) of the
John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act
(Public Law 116-9; 133 Stat. 772; 136 Stat. 6173), the local
coordinating entity for the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area
designated under the amendment made by subsection (a) shall submit to
the Secretary of the Interior for approval a proposed management plan
for the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area not later than 3 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Termination of Authority.--For the purposes of subsection
(g)(4) of section 6001 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9; 133 Stat. 776), the
authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance under
that section for the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area
designated under the amendment made by subsection (a) shall terminate
on the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
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