House passes S.C. Valley National Heritage Area

In a 281-142 vote on Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation designating the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area in Southern Arizona. The bill must now go to the Senate for consideration.

In January 2008, U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., introduced H.R. 324, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

Establishment of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area is supported by a broad base of area organizations including Patagonia Area Business Association and Santa Cruz Tourism Council and the Arizona Office of Tourism.

In a press release from Gifford’s office, Carol Cullen, executive director of the Tubac Chamber of Commerce, said, “Establishment of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area is a win-win �- for businesses in a part of Southern Arizona that has been hard hit by recession and �- for the environment that makes our valley so special.”

“Congressman Raul Grijalva was a champion for this bill on the House floor today, and we applaud him bringing Southern Arizona a step closer to realizing this broad-based bi-partisan community effort,” said Vanessa Bechtol, executive director for the non-profit Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance.

The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area would encompass roughly 3,300 square miles in Southern Arizona, bordering Mexico, including the watershed of the Santa Cruz River, from Nogales and Patagonia, to Marana and Oro Valley.

Giffords noted these boundaries consist of “cactus-covered slopes, open grasslands, rugged canyons, forested mountain ranges and rare desert streams. It also is home to Spanish missions, fortresses, ghost towns and old mines.”

Bechtol said that the designation is intended to honor and celebrate the unique cultural heritage of a region, while utilizing those resources to stimulate heritage-based economic development, primarily through tourism.

Addressing his congressional colleagues prior to the vote, Grijalva said, “Passage of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Act by the House of Representatives today is a significant step toward ensuring our region’s natural, historical and cultural assets are preserved into the future.

“Sharing a border with Mexico, the Santa Cruz River Valley encompasses a multitude of cultures and a rich, diverse history. Many nationally recognized historical sites and natural treasures are situated within the proposed Heritage Area, such as the Tumacacori National Historic Park, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area and the Tucson Origins Cultural Park.

“The creation of a National Heritage Area in the Valley will allow our communities, on an entirely voluntary basis, to access federal funds for preservation and it will help provide economic development by putting our area on the map to visitors as a fantastic and interesting place to visit.

“The Santa Cruz Valley is an important part of who I am today. Growing up at the Canoa Ranch, where my father worked, my first memories are of the beauty of that scenic valley. I hope that one day, my grandchildren and their children will be able to experience some of what I did as a child, and I believe making this bill a law will help achieve that.”

An amendment to the bill ensured that heritage area activities would not impede border enforcement activities.

“I would like to make note that nothing in this bill would interfere with law enforcement efforts,” Grijalva said. “There are no restrictions �- on the activities of federal, state or local law enforcement. Nor is there anything in the management history of heritage areas over the past quarter of a century that would lead any rational person to conclude that these areas somehow supercede the authorities of law enforcement officials at any level.

“The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has been in existence along the Arizona border with Mexico for nearly a decade, and there is no evidence it has impeded border security. It would be tragic if unfounded fears of immigration prevented us from protecting and preserving 12,000 years of rich cultural history.”

Giffords said, “This vote by the House of Representatives helps make sure that preservation and conservation efforts in the Santa Cruz Valley will be based on voluntary decision-making at the local level. My hope is that the Senate will follow the House’s lead and vote on this legislation as soon as possible.”

More info can be found at: www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/.