BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adoption of a Resolution in Support of National Heritage Area Designation for Santa Clara County.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution SUPPORT OF NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA DESIGNATION FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY, to Support County of Santa Clara's Effort in Requesting U.S. Congress's Consideration and Designation of Santa Clara County as a National Heritage Area.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the National Heritage Area Task Force (NHATF) have invited the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) to join their effort to have the U.S. Congress designate Santa Clara County as a National Heritage Area (NHA).
As described in the Santa Clara County National Heritage Area PowerPoint (Attachment 1), to be presented by NHATF Chair Rod Diridon at the April 11, 2017 board meeting, NHA is a program of the National Park Service (NPS) in which Congress recognizes an area for its unique history where:
? Natural, cultural, & historic resources form a nationally important story.
? The community drives the grassroots approach to heritage conservation.
? Community partnerships support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, tourism and education.
The benefits of this designation include:
? Economic development-every $1 of federal investment to an NHA generates $5.50.
? Preserves and promotes the County's historical and cultural resources through
educational and interpretative programs.
? Honors the tremendous cultural diversity and heritage of the County.
? Creates a shared regional identity to foster environmentally sustainable
communities.
To receive this designation, Santa Clara County must submit a Feasibility Study to NPS for its recommendation to the U.S. Congress. If Congress determines that such designation is suitable, it would pass a resolution making Santa Clara County a NHA. After this, the county, cities, school districts, community groups, and he...
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