# Northern Neck National Heritage Area Act

This bill creates a new "National Heritage Area" in Virginia's Northern Neck region—a five-county area between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers that includes King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties. Think of a heritage area as a federally recognized region that gets support and coordination to preserve and celebrate its natural, historical, and cultural resources.

The bill establishes the Northern Neck Tourism Commission as the local organization responsible for managing this heritage area. This commission will develop a management plan within three years that outlines how to protect historic sites, create educational programs, improve recreational opportunities, and help people understand the area's significance. The plan needs approval from the Secretary of the Interior and must involve input from various stakeholders—local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and the public. The commission will hold public meetings at least twice a year to keep people informed and involved.

The federal government will provide up to $10 million total to support these efforts, with a maximum of $1 million available each year. However, the federal government will only cover half the cost of any project—the other half must come from state, local, or private sources. Importantly, this money cannot be used to buy land or property. The funding is meant to support programs, hire staff with expertise in history and culture, make grants to organizations, and help coordinate partnerships. After 15 years, federal funding ends, so the heritage area will need to become self-sustaining through other sources.

The bill includes strong protections for private property owners. Nothing in this law forces landowners to participate in any programs, allow public access to their property, or change how they use their land. The bill doesn't give the heritage area commission any regulatory power—it's purely a coordinating and funding mechanism. State and local governments keep all their existing authority over land use, fishing, and hunting. The bill also doesn't affect Native American treaty rights or water rights. Essentially, participation is voluntary, and the heritage area works by encouraging cooperation and providing resources to those who want to participate in preservation and education efforts.

Northern Neck National Heritage Area Act

Wittman, Robert J.

Northern Neck National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Northern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia. The bill includes in the heritage area land between the Potomac River and Rappahannock River of the eastern coastal region of Virginia, including King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties. The bill designates the Northern Neck Tourism Commission, a working committee of the Northern Neck Planning District Commission, as the local coordinating entity for the heritage area. The Northern Neck Tourism Commission shall submit a proposed management plan for the heritage area to the Department of the Interior for approval.