[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 9, 2019

  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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