Schumer and his Niagara Falls Park Advisory Panel met with State Parks Commissioner today to begin feasibility report that is first step required for National Heritage Area recognition

Schumer: National Heritage Area designation would protect Park's natural resources, promote development & boost tourism in Western NY

The effort to gain a National Heritage designation for the Niagara Reservation is moving forward, US Senator Charles E. Schumer said today. The National Park Service returned to Niagara Falls today to begin work on a feasibility report that is the first step required to receive Congressional recognition that would provide a boon to the local economy.

Schumer secured $300,000 in federal funds for the study with former Rep. John LaFalce, and said that a National Heritage designation would enable the National Park Service to assist local efforts to protect the Park's natural resources while promoting development and tourism in the region.

"For too long tourists and visitors have stayed on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls," Schumer said. "We want to give them more reasons to cross the river and see what the New York side of Niagara Falls has to offer. Designating Niagara Falls as a National Heritage Area is a key part of making that happen"

Schumer was joined by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro, representatives from the National Park Service, along with members of his Niagara Falls Park Advisory Panel to begin work on the Niagara Falls River and Gorge National Heritage Corridor Study. Schumer's Niagara Falls Park Advisory Panel is made up of local elected, business and civic leaders (see attached list).

During the visit, the National Park Service focused on developing public support for the establishment of a Heritage Area, obtaining partnership commitments from local entities, and beginning discussions about what form of management entity should be established to oversee the Heritage Area. The study, required by Congress for areas seeking the special recognition, will delineate a boundary for the area, vision for the region, potential themes, and management entity alternatives. Many different heritage area management models exist throughout the nation; some are federal commissions, others are tied to state or other governmental units, and still others are private, nonprofit corporations or commissions.

In 2000, Schumer brought National Park Service officials to Niagara Falls to explore ways to gain national recognition of the world-famous landmark park and surrounding area. Because of ongoing state and local efforts to revitalize the existing State Park and surrounding city area, Schumer and Park Service officials decided to pursue designation of Niagara Falls as a National Heritage Area.

"The creation of a National Heritage area allows us to bring in the expertise and the resources of the federal government to help Niagara Falls without stepping on the toes of the local efforts that are already working well," Schumer said. "It allows us to work in partnership with the State and with local leaders to help Niagara Falls realize it's true potential and regain its rightful place as one or the world's great destinations."

In January 2001, Schumer and then-Congressman John LaFalce obtained a $25,000 federal grant for the National Park Service to perform a preliminary study to determine an appropriate federal role in the revitalization of Niagara Falls. Park Service officials returned to Niagara in March 2001 and gathered information for the preliminary study. In June 2001, Schumer announced the formation of his Niagara Falls Park Advisory Panel. The panel consists of 48 local elected, business and civic leaders to help guide the Park Service efforts and provide local input as the project goes forward.

Schumer and LaFalce also secured $300,000 in 2001 for the Niagara Falls River and Gorge National Heritage Corridor Study, and the funding was approved by President Bush last October. The feasability study results in a report, which is given to the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior then gives it to Congress, which must pass designating legislation. National Park Service estimates the study should take approximately one year to complete.

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