For Immediate Release Contact: Michael J. McQuerry February 26, 2021 202-215-8524
PRESS STATEMENT
HOUSE PASSES PLASKETT BILL TO DESIGNATE ST. CROIX AS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding the passage of her legislation, the St. Croix National Heritage Area Act, included in H.R. 803, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, which today passed the House of Representatives:
“Today, the House passed H.R. 803, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act: a landmark package of bipartisan bills, including the St. Croix National Heritage Area Act to designate the island of St. Croix as a National Heritage Area.
“National Heritage Areas (NHA) are designated by Congress as places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes. St. Croix is rich in culture, history and offers the resources ideal for establishing an NHA. The effort to achieve this designation started with former Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen in 2003 with a bill to authorize a feasibility study for the NHA designation on St. Croix.
“This legislation would assign the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office as local coordinating entity to oversee and develop programs and projects that recognize, protect, and enhance important resource values in the Heritage Area. In addition, it would make funding available to develop recreational and educational opportunities to inform and engage our youth on the heritage of St. Croix.
“Passage of this bill presents an economic boost. As this bill makes its way through the U.S. Senate we are asking our local government to support its passage for President Biden to sign into law. It is imperative that we protect and restore historic sites and buildings in our historical district of St. Croix through public-private partnerships.”
