Hallowed ground

Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area legislation merits passage

Date published: 3/21/2007

AS THE Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area inches toward legislative approval in Congress, those who feel threatened by it are ratcheting up their anti-Big Brother rhetoric. But without any evidence to back up their concerns, legislators should muster the momentum necessary to approve the initiative.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground designated area begins in Charlottesville and follows a path north along U.S. 15 through Culpeper, Warrenton, Leesburg, and Frederick, Md., to Gettysburg, Pa. To call this area merely rich in American history is to say the Civil War was merely a skirmish. The bill has cleared the House Committee on Natural Resources, and should go before the full House this spring.

The objective of the National Heritage Areas program is to designate, in perpetuity, regions that are rich in historic and cultural features--geographical areas that tell important stories from our nation's history--and help them retain their individuality. The key is that the designation provides these opportunities only to communities that seek them out.

Certain organizations that advocate personal property rights oppose the legislation. They label the designation as some backdoor ploy to regulate land use or impose eminent domain. Certainly we are on 24-hour guard against that in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Kelo v. New London decision.

The heritage area legislation, H.R. 319, (and S. 289 in the Senate) has a section that lists "Safeguards for Private Citizens." It says, for example, "The management entity may not use federal funds under this act to acquire real property or interests in real property [easements]. Additionally, states and local governments cannot use federal funds under this act to acquire interest in real property by condemnation."

And this: "Nothing in this Act abridges the rights of any property owner, including their right to chose not to participate in the management plan or have any connection in any way with the Heritage Area or its programs." That's pretty straightforward language, by legalese standards, and should allay fears of government overreaching.

The bill was first introduced by Virginia Rep. Frank Wolf, R-10th, and has won bipartisan support from the state's congressional delegation. Republican Sen. John Warner took over sponsorship of the Senate version from former Sen. George Allen, and is joined by Maryland's senators, both Democrats, and Pennsylvania's, one of each.

The legislation is designed to encourage the preservation and sharing of the historic events and places we hold dear. It is important, befitting, and above all, timely. It merits strong support.

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Date published: 3/21/2007