A bill introduced earlier this year by U.S. Reps. Raœl M. Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, both Democrats, that would establish Santa Cruz Valley as a National Heritage Area, was passed Wednesday by the House of Representatives.

The House voted 291-122 in favor of the legislation that now goes before the Senate.

Several private area organizations are supporting the effort. A recent meeting coordinated by the Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce included representatives of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Alliance; Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce; Patagonia Area Business Association; the Nogales, Sonora chamber; as well as the State of Sonora Office of Tourism.

The proposed heritage area would encompass roughly 3,300 square miles in Southern Arizona, bordering Mexico.

Part of a package of amendments to the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Act, the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act will help preserve and promote the cultural and natural resources in the Santa Cruz Valley.

National Heritage Areas differ from National Parks and other types of Federal designations because they do not impose federal zoning or regulations on land use, and do not involve land acquisitions.

In a prepared statement, Grijalva said, "I am proud to have brought this bill from the Santa Cruz Valley to the floor of the House of Representatives. "Heritage areas connect people to the cultural, historic, and natural treasures"

In a separate statement, Giffords said, "With today's vote, Congress is making sure that preservation and conservation efforts will be based on voluntary decision-making at the local level. This is participatory democracy at its best."

National Heritage Area designation provides federal recognition and financial support.

Through annual congressional appropriations administered by local National Park "unit partners," up to $10 million in 50 percent match funding is available to each area over a period of 15 years. This "seed money" can help cover basic expenses such as staffing, and leverages other money from state, local, and private sources to implement locally selected projects.

"Ever since Congress established heritage areas over 20 years ago, heritage tourism has been growing," Grijalva said. "Today, it has become a significant economic engine. These areas are worthwhile not only as a way to help local economies, but as a crucial tool in preserving our communities' links to their past."