Sponsors (2)
The bill brings federal recognition, coordinated planning, and up to 15 years of support to boost heritage tourism and protect resources in four rural counties, while imposing near-term planning burdens and leaving longer-term funding and inclusion of some local areas uncertain.
Residents, visitors, and local businesses in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties gain federal recognition of the region and coordinated heritage promotion that can increase tourism and local economic activity.
Cultural and natural resources across the four counties receive coordinated planning and access to federal technical and financial assistance for up to 15 years to support preservation and interpretation projects.
The local nonprofit Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. gains a formal coordinating role and eligibility to partner with the Interior Department on preservation, interpretation, and project implementation.
Local governments and nonprofits that start projects may face a loss of federal support after the program’s 15-year assistance period ends, creating uncertainty for long-term funding and maintenance.
Some local areas, stakeholders, or properties could be excluded from benefits if the Secretary’s feasibility-based boundary determination omits them, limiting who can access program support.
The required creation and approval of a management plan within three years imposes administrative, planning, and compliance costs on the local coordinating entity and partner organizations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Designates the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania, names a local coordinating entity, requires a management plan within 3 years, and ends federal assistance authority after 15 years.
Designates the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania as part of the National Heritage Area System, covering Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties and other areas identified by a feasibility study. Names Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. as the local coordinating entity and requires that entity to submit a proposed management plan for approval within three years. Sets the Secretary of the Interior to establish the exact boundaries based on the feasibility study and ends the Secretary’s authority to provide federal assistance for this heritage area 15 years after enactment.
Official title: Amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to designate as a component of the National Heritage Area System the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 26, 2026 by David Harold McCormick · Last progress March 26, 2026