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Introduction of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 9, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History Natural Resources

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Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I reintroduced the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act. I want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Jerry McNerney, Mark DeSaulnier, Mike Thompson, and Doris Matsui from California, for their support as original cosponsors.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is central to California life and perhaps the most productive and ecologically important watershed in the United States. Designating the Delta as a new Natural Heritage Area would unlock needed federal funding to conserve the cultural heritage and natural character of this iconic working landscape.

Specifically, our bill would authorize $10 million to provide federal matching grants to local governments, historical societies, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Delta. This grant funding, administered by the National Park Service, would be available for 15 years to support community-based cultural and historical preservation and environmental conservation projects.

California's Delta Protection Commission would be responsible for coordinating the locally developed management plan for the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area, once established. Importantly, National Heritage Area designations do not impact water rights, landownership, or hunting and fishing within the designated Heritage Area. As confirmed by the National Park Service, which administers the program, National Heritage Area designations do not affect individual property rights nor do they restrict local land use decisions.

Last year, for the first time in 5 years, the Natural Resources Committee reported out bipartisan bills to establish new National Heritage Areas. Now under the new Democratic majority and the leadership of Chairman Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), I hope that the Committee will take up our Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act.

Again, I thank my original cosponsors from the California delegation for their support. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join us in cosponsoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act.

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