Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Expansion

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6843, a bill introduced by our colleague and my friend from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was established by Congress in 2006. It is known for its rich cultures and ecologically varied regions. It stretches across 14 parishes in southern Louisiana, where it helps preserve and promote Cajun culture and the area's diverse abundance of wildlife and natural history.

This bill would expand the current boundaries of the national heritage area to encompass the Lafourche Parish in southern Louisiana. The National Park Service studied and approved the expansion, making this an easy bill to support.

National heritage areas preserve landscapes of significant importance to communities through natural, cultural, and historical resources. These areas also serve communities by providing recreational and economic opportunities.

Expanding the boundary's areas will promote grassroots conservation efforts and expand economic opportunities in those regions. This is a win-win.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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