Congressmen Blake Moore and Mike Simpson Introduce the Bear River Heritage Area Study Act to Study Feasibility of Establishing the Bear River Heritage Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) was joined by Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) in introducing the Bear River Heritage Study Act, which would require the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Bear River Heritage Area in Utah and Idaho in the historic Bear River area, allowing local communities in the Bear River area to protect important elements of their heritage and promote the area’s tourism industry.
“All those who are familiar with the Bear River area appreciate its rich cultural and historical heritage,” said Congressman Blake Moore. “I am proud to introduce the Bear River Heritage Study Act, which would be a vital first step in establishing the Bear River Heritage Area and elevating this important land to a more distinguished classification, protecting local heritage, and boosting the area’s tourism industry.”
“The Bear River Heritage Study Act will answer questions surrounding the economic opportunity a heritage area would have on southeastern Idaho," said Congressman Mike Simpson. “I am pleased to join Congressman Moore in this pursuit as we seek to empower these small communities.”
The Bear River Heritage Area includes seven counties between northern Utah and southeastern Idaho.
The full bill text can be found here.
The Bear River Heritage Study Act has received broad support from several groups, organizations, and individuals including:
- Bear River Association of Governments
- Cache Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum
- Cache Valley Center for the Arts
- Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Cache Valley Visitors Bureau
- City of St. Charles, Idaho
- Folklore Society of Utah
- Franklin Relic Hall Museum & Historical Site
- Friends United for Bear Lake
- Gail Griswold, exhibit designer
- Idaho Commission on the Arts
- Lisa Gabbert, Associate Professor of Folklore and American Studies at Utah State University
- Randy Williams of the Utah Humanities Board of Trustees and Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection Board
- Southeast Idaho High Country Tourism
- Stokes Nature Center
- Utah Cultural Alliance
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