Since Mr. Cushman has been kind enough to list my address
on his previous e-mail, I'm happy to respond to your concerns about H.R.
2388.This bill is Mr. Hefley's attempt to control the growing
phenomena of federal heritage areas in the United States. Since the
1970s, more than 20of these have grown up around the country, all in the
complete absence of any federal policy to control or govern and most
outside of the oversight of the Resources Committee meant to govern
them. Two have swallowed up almost $200 million in federal funds over
their respective lifetimes with little accountability outside of the
appropriations process.
Mr. Hefley's bill would demand that these areas 1.) be locally
controlled and organized, 2.) limit federal involvement to a five-year
grants program for planning and a a maximum 10-year involvement for its
operations and 3.) be self-supporting at the conclusion of the 10-year
period.
Mr. Cushman is correct to say the words "tourism" and "economic
development" are not in the draft of H.R. 2388. But terms such as
"recreational opportunities" are (at several places in the bill). Other
sections mandate the involvement of the local business community and, on
page 13, the bill specifies that policy for managing the heritage area
must be conducted in "a manner consistent with supporting appropriate
and compatible economic viability." H.R. 2388 also requires the
development of a business plan for the heritage area. If those don't
comprise tourism and economic development, I don't know what does.
Finally, there is an entire section of the bill devoted to private
property rights protection, preserving protections against public access
to private property, liability and preserving the rights of owners not
to participate in the program.
This is not the first time Mr. Cushman has opposed this legislation.
Six years ago, he boasted there was no need for another government
program, that he'd fight these things "one at a time." Since he made
that boast, at least 10 new heritage areas have been designated. It is
estimated another EIGHTEEN are in the pipeline or under study. Mr.
Cushman's "strategy" is a losing one. Heritage areas are going to
happen. It is a question of whether we are going to do anything to
control them and limit taxpayer responsibility.
Six years ago, Mr. Cushman told me he could mobilize thousands of
people programmed into his fax machine with a touch of the button. So he
can. But the recipients of those e-mails should examine the facts and
consider the e-mails with the same degree of importance they give other
forms of spam.
Larry Hojo
Legislative Director
Office of U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colorado
