Gillibrand Visits Boscobel to Push for Funding Opportunities
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was in Garrison last week, calling for legislation to open up funding to the Hudson River Valley and to promote tourism and economic development. The senator pushed for a study into whether the area should become part of the National Park System
“This study would look at the economic development impact to our region,” Gillibrand (D-New York) said Thursday, standing under a tent at Boscobel with the Hudson River as her backdrop. “It could mean additional federal investment to improve heritage sites and increase local tourism, which would allow businesses in the area to stay themselves and grow.”
Gillibrand was joined by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Harrison) and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-Cold Spring), who advocated the study as well as re-authorization of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, which provides for matching federal funds for certain projects and expired last year. Lawmakers are hoping to re-authorize it for another decade.
“As our economy continues to recover, the heritage area supports regional job creation and economic growth and excellent return on investment for our taxpayers,” said Lowey. “Our bill to reauthorize the Hudson Valley National Heritage Area is vital to preserve these jobs and economic benefits by continuing our partnership with the National Parks Service.”
If the area becomes part of the National Park System, it will generate attention and tourism and open additional opportunities for federal funding, according to Gillibrand. The study must be authorized by Congress, after which legislation would be needed to authorize the Hudson River Valley’s addition to the NPS. In a press release, Gillibrand said the designation would not affect what activities, such as hunting and fishing, are permitted because the NPS cannot overrule state or local laws.
On Thursday, lawmakers and officials pointed to the economic and environmental importance of the region as well as the historic significance.
“We should remember that so much of our national history began, it happened right here,” said Maloney. “Right up the river we had great battles in the [American] Revolution on both sides.”
Gillibrand said she also plans to bring up legislation to reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, affecting a 3.5 million-acre area of forest, farmland and hills in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania and aimed at keeping drinking water clean. Lowey and Maloney are both cosponsors of the House version of that legislation.
“It has all the necessary constituent elements,” Simon Roosevelt, on the Scenic Hudson Board of Director, said Thursday of the Highlands Conservation Act. “Conservation, frankly, has never been partisan. It’s only very recently that it’s shown some horns in that regard, and that needs to go away.”
Mark Castiglione, acting director of the National Heritage Area, also spoke out in favor of the legislation.
The Hudson Valley National Heritage Area, first designated by Congress in 1996, is one of 49 such sites in the country. It ranges from southern Westchester to Saratoga County.
