[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




YELLOWSTONE RIVER VALLEY AND SOUTHWEST MONTANA HERITAGE AND RECREATION 
                                  AREA

                                 ______


                           HON. PAT WILLIAMS

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing two legislative 
initiatives to designate locations in Montana as National Heritage 
areas under the National Heritage Area Partnership Program.
  The first bill proposes to establish the Yellowstone River Valley 
National Heritage Area which will encompass the Yellowstone region from 
the headwaters of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park to 
the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri River in North Dakota. 
As the last major free-flowing river in the United States, the 
Yellowstone River Valley is a region steeped in history, rich in 
cultural diversity and patterned with a western landscape of fertile 
valleys, high plains and the Rocky Mountains.
  The Yellowstone River Valley includes Yellowstone National Park,--a 
United Nations Education and Scientific Organization World Heritage 
site due to its importance as a resource with global significance--Fort 
Union Trading Post, Pompeys Pillar the Lewis and Clark Expedition 
Trail, the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Northern Pacific Railway 
Company Line, the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, the Huntley 
Irrigation Project Chief Joseph Trail, the Crow and Northern Cheyenne 
Reservations and finally the Yellowtail Dam.
  The National Heritage Partnership Program will provide a framework 
which will enable local communities to capitalize on their heritage and 
expand their economic base. Through collaboration with interpretation, 
preservation and marketing, communities in the Yellowstone Valley they 
will have opportunities to form alliances and partnerships among local, 
State, Federal and private entities. By sharing resources, transcending 
political boundaries and establishing creative initiatives, citizens in 
the Yellowstone Valley will have the ability to develop positive social 
and economic benefits of cultural and recreational tourism.
  The second bill proposes to establish the Southwest Montana Heritage 
and Recreation Area which encompasses the area located along the 
Continental divide in Southwest Montana and is traversed by Interstates 
90 and 15, one of Montana's most important tourism routes. in 1993 this 
constituted some 3 million vacationers indicating the potential 
economic impact of tourism of the region. The region is further 
characterized by a variety of tourism based activities including 
museums, historic sites, resorts and four season recreation 
opportunities. Small communities and towns under 5,000 predominantly 
serve both residents and visitors to this region. The city of Butte is 
the largest city--35,000--in the corridor.
  The concept for the Southwest Montana Heritage and Recreation Area 
anticipates capital improvements of approximately $40 million to $60 
million in interpretive and recreation infrastructure and $20 million 
to $30 million in tour routes, byways and trailways. At maturity in 10 
to 15 years, the Southwest Montana Heritage and Recreation Area could 
be generating approximately $8 to $13 million in direct program 
maintenance and operating expenditures annually.
  The Southwest Montana Heritage and Recreation Area creates a tourism 
infrastructure that will foster increased visitation while addressing 
the objectives, needs and concerns of local communities. Area 
businesses and residents would be encouraged to provide attractions and 
services to visitors through technical assistance and incentive 
programs.
  The economic impact on the region could be substantial. When the 
Southwest Montana Heritage and Recreation Area reaches maturity in 15 
years, an estimated 2.7 million additional travelers will be visiting 
sites, recreating and using services. Based on visitor expenditure 
estimates it can be estimated that direct annual visitor expenditure's 
could total an additional $170 million at project maturity. Combined 
with indirect expenditures a total economic impact of $260 million 
annually.

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