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Bill

HR 10217

To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to designate as a component of the National Heritage Area System the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area in the State of Kentucky, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Hal Rogers

Designates the Kentucky Wildlands as a National Heritage Area to coordinate local stewardship, federal support, and partnerships for preserving and promoting its natural and cultur

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 10217

Summary of HR 10217 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • HR 10217 seeks to designate the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area (NHA) within the state of Kentucky as a component of the National Heritage Area System.
  • The bill amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to formalize this designation and advance related heritage conservation and non-federal management goals.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment: Designates the Kentucky Wildlands as a National Heritage Area, recognizing the region's cultural, historical, natural, and recreational resources as deserving nationwide preservation and interpretation.
  • Governance and management: Typically, NHAs involve a local coordinating body (often a nonprofit consortium or public-private partnership) that develops a management plan in coordination with federal agencies (usually the National Park Service) to guide conservation, interpretation, and development activities.
  • Funding framework: NHAs commonly receive a mix of federal (NPS-administered) and non-federal funding, including leveraging contributions from state and local governments, nonprofits, and private partners. The bill would likely authorize federal support through the National Heritage Area program and outline a framework for matching funds, planning, and implementation.
  • Planning and coordination: The designation typically requires preparation or amendment of a management plan detailing purposes, partnerships, projects, and a schedule for implementation, public involvement, and periodic review.
  • Projects and activities: Authorized or supported activities often include interpretive and educational programs, heritage tourism development, preservation of historic and natural resources, community planning, and capacity-building for local organizations.

Who is affected

  • Local stakeholders in the Kentucky Wildlands region: residents, landowners, businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments involved in conservation, tourism, and cultural preservation.
  • Federal: National Park Service involvement for oversight, guidance, and potentially grant administration related to the NHA program.
  • Visitors and heritage enthusiasts: potential increased access to interpretive sites, trails, museums, and educational programming tied to Kentucky's natural and cultural resources.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources (September 1, 2026).
  • Sponsorship:-Co-sponsor noted: Hal Rogers. The presence of a sponsor and co-sponsor indicates bipartisan or local congressional support intended to advance the designation process.
  • Typical timeline (within NHAs): After designation, a local managing entity would develop or update a management plan, pursue partnerships and funding, and implement projects over several years with periodic reporting and coordination with federal authorities.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Cultural and natural resource protection: Formal recognition can help prioritize preservation and educational efforts for the Kentucky Wildlands region.
  • Economic and community benefits: Heritage tourism and related development could support local economies, while requiring careful balance with conservation goals and land-use considerations.
  • Federal-local partnership: The act reinforces a collaborative framework between federal agencies and local stakeholders for planning, funding, and project execution.

Note: The summary reflects typical elements of National Heritage Area designations under the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The precise statutory language of HR 10217 would specify the exact authorities, funding mechanisms, management responsibilities, and reporting requirements associated with activating and operating the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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