Nuciforo offers support to proposed Housatonic Heritage Area
In formal comments to the National Park Service, state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. has offered his support the proposed Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, which extends 60 miles from Hancock, MA to Kent. Conn., and comprises 964 sq. miles.
If approved by Congress, the Housatonic Heritage Area would be eligible for federal funds that would be used by local cultural, historical and natural resource organizations for education, interpretation, historic preservation, planning, recreational trail development, and open space conservation. Heritage Areas do not have land-use regulatory powers and designation would not entail federal acquisition of land.
“The Housatonic Valley is truly a unique region of the country. It is host to an array of cultural and historical treasures that continue to play an important role in the American experience. Likewise, the area we call home is surrounded by a natural landscape that lends itself to extensive opportunities for recreation and conservation,†Nuciforo (D-Pittsfield) wrote in support of the initiative to James O’Connell, National Park Service community planner. “While residents already share a strong sense of community, National Heritage designation will further support the region’s identity by highlighting its cultural, historical and geographical significance.“
Nuciforo, who represents all of the communities in Massachusetts that are included in the designated area, said he was impressed with the work that local volunteers had contributed to a recently completed draft report on the project by the National Park Service. Several themes of the region’s national significance have been identified in the report, including:
* Cultural Resort
Region was home to important literary, artistic, musical and architectural
achievements. It also hosts many world renowned cultural attractions.
* Shaping a Scenic Landscape
Area is distinguished for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and long history of innovative nature conservation following era of industrialization and deforestation.
* Cradle of Industry
Region was a pioneer in the iron, paper and electrical generation industries.
* Revolutionary War and the Development of Democracy
Region had impact on Revolutionary War, Shay’s Rebellion and early civil rights.
According to the National Park Service, a national heritage area “is a place designated by Congress where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them.â€
Massachusetts towns included in the proposed Heritage Area are: Alford, Becket, Dalton, Egremont, Great Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge.
A copy of the feasibility study is online at www.nps.gov/boso/upperhousatonic/. The deadline for public comments, which will be considered in the final version of the Congressional report, is Friday, Jan. 31. Comments may be sent to James O’Connell, National Park Service, 15 State St., Boston, MA 02109, or by phone at 617-223-5222.
<< Back
|
Center for Ecological Technology receives Renewable Energy fundsThe Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response NetworkEnvironmental Bond Bill could have long-term impactsEqual Choice bill could help seniors avert nursing homesKeeping an eye on St. Lawrence CementThe Circuit BreakerAll Not So Quiet on the Western TurnpikeOUR COMMON GROUNDNational Park Service considers Housatonic Valley for National Heritage AreaCities and towns should have more input in cell tower locationsNuciforo proposes Auto Pilot Loan Program for low-income families
|
