Finger Lakes Region Tapped for National Heritage Area Designation; Management Plan Due in 3 Years

This bill officially designates a big chunk of New York—specifically Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates Counties—as the "Finger Lakes National Heritage Area." Think of it as getting a special pin on the national map, recognizing the region's unique natural, cultural, and historical significance.

Putting the Finger Lakes on the Map (Officially)

So, what does being a "National Heritage Area" actually mean? It's a designation through the National Park Service system, but it's not a national park. Instead, it aims to support local efforts in conservation, recreation, education, and economic development, usually boosting tourism. This Act formally adds the Finger Lakes to this system, covering those 14 counties.

Who's Steering the Ship?

The legislation names the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance as the "local coordinating entity." Essentially, they're tasked with pulling together a game plan. According to Section 2, this group has three years from the date the bill becomes law to create and submit a detailed management plan to the Secretary of the Interior for approval. This plan will outline how the heritage area will be managed, preserved, and promoted.

The 15-Year Clock

While the designation itself is ongoing, there's a timeline for direct federal help. The bill specifies that the Secretary of the Interior's authority to provide financial or other assistance related to this designation expires 15 years after the Act is enacted. This means there's a defined window for federal support to help get things rolling, after which the region and the coordinating entity will need to rely more on local, state, or private funding streams to keep the initiatives going.