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Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Feasibility Study
Denver Service Center » Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Feasibility Study » Document List
As directed by Congress in 2019, the National Park Service prepared a National Heritage Area Feasibility Study of the eastern counties in Kentucky for the potential designation of a Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The feasibility study evaluated the natural, historic, cultural, educational, and recreational resources to assess if they are collectively nationally worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use through designation as a National Heritage Area (NHA).
The study determined that 35 counties in eastern Kentucky meet the 10 NHA evaluation criteria. The Kentucky Wildlands in Eastern Kentucky appears to be a nationally distinctive due to the notable physical landscape of the Cumberland Plateau and Appalachian Mountains and the assemblage of resources that directly support or illustrate the area's distinct and rich culture, sense of community, history of activism and resilience. The study team identified several themes of national significance related to the study area represented by natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources found throughout Eastern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Wildlands NHA Feasibility Study found that the 35-county area described in the document is eligible for inclusion as part of the National Heritage Area System. Legislation would be required for NHA designation.
WHAT IS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA?
National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historical resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important stories. Unlike national parks, NHAs are lived in-communities and not federally owned but may contain parks or other federally owned property. Through public-private partnerships, NHAs tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage. National Heritage Areas are managed by a local entity in partnership with individual citizens; local, state, federal, and sovereign Native Nations' governments; and nonprofit and business sector groups. Together, these entities work to preserve the integrity of the area's distinctive landscape and nationally important stories so that current and future generations understand this relationship to the land. The federal government does not acquire land, manage land, or change land use controls through the creation of a National Heritage Area. The National Park Service provides technical, planning, and financial assistance to National Heritage Areas while decision-making authority is retained by the local people.
National Heritage Area System additions are designated by acts of Congress. A feasibility study serves as the reference source for those interested in the potential creation of an area in the National Heritage Area System. Because the study is not a decision-making document, it does not identify a preferred NPS course of action. Only Congress can designate a new National Heritage Area.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In December 2019, Congress passed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-94) which directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating a region in Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The Secretary of the Interior delegated preparation of the study to the NPS.
The NPS team used evaluation criteria for a potential National Heritage Area designation based on NPS National Heritage Area Feasibility Study Guidelines (2019) and the National Heritage Area Act of 2023 (Public Law 117-339) to evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of creating a Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The team consulted subject-matter experts, state and local governments, sovereign Native Nations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and the public to inform the study process.
Please use the "Links" tab on the left to visit the NPS National Heritage Area program website.
National Heritage Areas Coordinator
National Park Service- Southeast Regional Office
404-507-5821
Julie Bell
Project Manager
National Park Service- Denver Service Center
303-987-6726
The study determined that 35 counties in eastern Kentucky meet the 10 NHA evaluation criteria. The Kentucky Wildlands in Eastern Kentucky appears to be a nationally distinctive due to the notable physical landscape of the Cumberland Plateau and Appalachian Mountains and the assemblage of resources that directly support or illustrate the area's distinct and rich culture, sense of community, history of activism and resilience. The study team identified several themes of national significance related to the study area represented by natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources found throughout Eastern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Wildlands NHA Feasibility Study found that the 35-county area described in the document is eligible for inclusion as part of the National Heritage Area System. Legislation would be required for NHA designation.
WHAT IS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA?
National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historical resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important stories. Unlike national parks, NHAs are lived in-communities and not federally owned but may contain parks or other federally owned property. Through public-private partnerships, NHAs tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation's diverse heritage. National Heritage Areas are managed by a local entity in partnership with individual citizens; local, state, federal, and sovereign Native Nations' governments; and nonprofit and business sector groups. Together, these entities work to preserve the integrity of the area's distinctive landscape and nationally important stories so that current and future generations understand this relationship to the land. The federal government does not acquire land, manage land, or change land use controls through the creation of a National Heritage Area. The National Park Service provides technical, planning, and financial assistance to National Heritage Areas while decision-making authority is retained by the local people.
National Heritage Area System additions are designated by acts of Congress. A feasibility study serves as the reference source for those interested in the potential creation of an area in the National Heritage Area System. Because the study is not a decision-making document, it does not identify a preferred NPS course of action. Only Congress can designate a new National Heritage Area.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In December 2019, Congress passed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-94) which directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating a region in Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The Secretary of the Interior delegated preparation of the study to the NPS.
The NPS team used evaluation criteria for a potential National Heritage Area designation based on NPS National Heritage Area Feasibility Study Guidelines (2019) and the National Heritage Area Act of 2023 (Public Law 117-339) to evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of creating a Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The team consulted subject-matter experts, state and local governments, sovereign Native Nations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and the public to inform the study process.
Please use the "Links" tab on the left to visit the NPS National Heritage Area program website.
Contact Information
Elisa KunzNational Heritage Areas Coordinator
National Park Service- Southeast Regional Office
404-507-5821
Julie Bell
Project Manager
National Park Service- Denver Service Center
303-987-6726