Senators renew fight for regional recognition and environmental protection

May 9, 2006
WASHINGTON - Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today lauded passage of the House version of their bill to establish the Upper Housatonic Valley in Connecticut and Massachusetts as a National Heritage Area and authorize up to $10 million to preserve the historic and cultural assets of the region.

The Upper Housatonic Valley is a unique cultural and geographical region that encompasses 29 towns in the Housatonic River watershed, extending 60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut. The valley has made significant national contributions through literary, artistic, musical, and architectural achievements; as the backdrop for important Revolutionary War era events; as the cradle of the iron, paper, and electrical industries; and as home to key figures and events in the abolitionist and civil rights movements. It includes five National Historic Landmarks and four National Natural Landmarks. The area has already developed many significant heritage activities including an Iron Heritage Trail brochure, a graduate course for local teachers on the area, and a summer art event.

The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Act would officially designate the region as part of the National Park Service system. It would also authorize $1 million in grants annually, up to a total of $10 million, for a variety of activities that conserve the significant natural, historical, cultural, and scenic resources, and that provide educational and recreational opportunities in the area.

"This is tremendous step in the right direction," said Dodd. "We can’t afford to lose the incredible beauty and history of this region. I intend to continue to work to ensure that this region and its legacy are preserved, protected, and strengthened for future generations."

“I am thrilled that the House has passed legislation to give this beautiful culturally and historically rich region the acknowledgement and resources it needs by designating it a national heritage area,” said Lieberman. “Chris and I will continue to fight, as we always have, for the designation that will protect and enhance this national treasure through education, tourism and preservation and it will bring with it significant regional economic benefits.”

A national heritage area is a part of the U.S. landscape - urban or rural - that is recognized by the Congress for its special contribution to the American experience through its distinctive history and geography, nationally important natural resources, and broad cultural and historical interest. Since 1984, Congress has designated twenty-three national heritage areas. This includes the designation of the Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor in Connecticut and Massachusetts in 1994.

In November 2000, Dodd, Lieberman, and Representatives Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and John Olver (D-MA) sponsored legislation directing the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing the upper Housatonic Valley as a National Heritage Area. This study, completed in spring 2003, concluded that designation of the national heritage would be the most effective way to accomplish the region’s goals for cultural and environmental preservation and education.

Dodd and Lieberman first introduced legislation to create the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area in May 2003. In the last Congress, a bill containing language creating the area passed the Senate but died in the House for reasons unrelated to the area. The new bill that passed in the House today is specific to the Upper Housatonic Heritage Area.