HERITAGE OPTIONS

Participants at the Delta National Heritage Area delved into five options for a management plan: Alternative A (No Action), continuing the current mix of activities with no management plan or federal funding. Alternative B ( Tell the Delta’s Story), with development of interpretation venues such as heritage attractions, collections and materials, and encouraging residents to learn about their heritage. Alternative C (Build the network), position the Delta heritage area as a “convener,” bringing together partners in preservation, conservation, tourism and the community to achive goals. Alternative D (Save Places, Perpetuate Culture), with saving and revitalization of historic structures and conserving the landscape, and development of interpretive and educational programs. Alternative E (A Blend), merging elements of B, C and D to create a climate of sustainable economic development based on the Delta’s heritage and culture.

Activity examples range from creation of more information centers and hosting an annual Delta heritage conference and a “Heart and Soul” regionwide celebration, to encouraging shops and promoting new shops selling regionally unique products such as pottery, arts and crafts.

National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Through their resources, the areas tell nationally important stories that celebrate the nation’s diverse heritage. They are livedin landscapes; consequently, area entities collaborate with communities to determine how to make heritage relevant to local interests and needs.

While not national parks, the nation’s 49 heritage areas are administered by National Park Service coordinators in Washington and seven regional offices: Anchorage, Seattle, Oakland, Denver, Omaha, Philadelphia and Atlanta, as well as park unit staff.

Henry Bailey