The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

In the spring of 2016 some people from Great Falls, Cascade and Fort Benton, Montana formed a proposed National Heritage Area for this part of Montana.

At first their idea was huge with boundaries that stretched almost from Helena to Big Sandy. Later, and that is part of this story, that the boundaries have been changed to more reflect the areas that would be most affected by the National Heritage Area.

Of course there are always two sides to each story and one of the problem areas for those who are against the National Heritage Area is sooner or later the entire area will be managed by the National Park Service.

Those are the same people who train their dogs to chase errant goats and rams away from the parking lot atop of Logan Pass and yet will fine anyone who dares to let their own dog out of the car.

Maybe that is too extreme but it is not too extreme to say that when dealing with the National Park Service, both In Holders and people holding major contracts, concessioners they are called, with the Park Service tell horror story after horror story about getting along with the Feds.

Not always. Sometimes the Feds change their tune and stake holders can get along well with the government. Then the worm turns so to speak and the government seems to delight in making it tough on stake holders.

People get the idea that the National Park Service will get involved in this National Heritage Area because general literature about National Heritage Areas says that very thing.

And yet those who know and are trying to build this local National Heritage Area say that will never happen here.

This is one side of a controversy that you are reading about today. If you have a viewpoint and would care to be interviewed about your viewpoint, let us know at "The Mountaineer" and we will cover your opinion as well.

For now on to a January 24 press release from the National Heritage effort.

NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA EFFORT MOVING FORWARD

GREAT FALLS, Montana – Within the past year, the idea of establishing the first National Heritage Area (NHA) in Montana has come closer to reality. A group of enthusiastic volunteers from Cascade, Fort Benton and Great Falls formed the Upper Missouri River Heritage Area Planning Corporation, Inc. in spring 2016 and have completed a great deal of work in their short existence.

An NHA is a designation granted by the United States Congress formally recognizing an area's nationally significant natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources. The initial idea of establishing an NHA along the Missouri River corridor was the outgrowth of a public gathering of 100+ citizens from communities in central Montana. According to Jane Weber, Chair of the Upper Missouri River Heritage Planning Corporation, Inc. "If we are successful, an NHA designation will significantly bolster the business and tourism sectors of Central Montana's economy." A major first step required before Congressional designation can be requested is the preparation of a Feasibility Study to conclusively demonstrate the nationally distinctive landscape and stories of the area, as well as local partnerships. The organization hopes to have this underway later this spring.

Following are a few of the accomplishments made this past year:

Formation of the Planning Corporation. The State of Montana and IRS have recognized the Upper Missouri River Heritage Area Planning Corporation, Inc. as a not-for-profit organization. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the board of directors can now actively raise funds to contract services for the Feasibility Study preparation.

Establish a diverse Board of Directors. Community support and skilled advisors are critical to the effort. Board members include residents from the communities of Cascade, Great Falls, and Fort Benton, as well as City and County Commissions, and the Mayor of Cascade. Board members represent a wide range of professions and life experiences in agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, business,

nking, government, museum management, and history.

Compilation of Resources. A massive database containing information about natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources has been compiled for the proposed NHA and will be incorporated into the Feasibility Study.

Fundraising. The Upper Missouri River Heritage Area Planning Corporation, Inc. funds its operations entirely through individual, business and corporate donations. Donations will be used for operational expenses and to hire a consultant to prepare the Feasibility Study.

Proposed Boundary. The Board of Directors is proposing an NHA boundary that may be subject to change based on public input and the results of the Feasibility Study. The proposed NHA boundary includes the Missouri River corridor from the Gates of the Mountains to Fort Benton, and tributaries of the Sun and Smith Rivers and Belt Creek. The communities of Cascade, Ulm, Great Falls, Fort Benton, Ulm, Monarch, Neihart, Vaughn, Sun River, and Fort Shaw are within the proposed boundary.

The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis the fourth Monday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Gibson Room at the Mansfield Convention Center. The public is welcomed. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the Corporation's website at http://www.greatfallsmt.net.

Board members are available to make presentations about the NHA effort to any interested group. To request a presentation or for more information about the Upper Missouri River Heritage Area Planning Corporation, Inc. contact Jane Weber at jweber@cascadecountymt.gov or 406-454-6814.

Upper Missouri River National Heritage Area

"We exist to tell the Upper Missouri River story. We formed to initiate a collaborative effort to establish a National Heritage Area because we believe in the national significance of the Upper Missouri River heritage, in the power of partnerships, and that National Heritage designation will bring vitality and sustainable economic development to our region. We are residents, multigenerational landowners, local businesses, and cultural organizations. We believe in private property rights, celebrating our history, honoring our legacy and sharing our stories with others."

What are NHAs? National Heritage Areas (NHA) are places where cultural, historic, and natural resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally significant landscape. NHAs tell nationally important stories about the shaping of America and celebrate our nation's heritage.

These sites are nationally significant to America for one or a variety of reasons – either native peoples relied on the site-specific natural resources to sustain their families, or explorers made their way to expand the nation, or the location served as a central port to a developing west, or remnants of a legendary western figure's life provide us insight into America's past. For various reasons, these places are already important to our American heritage and are the prime ingredients for developing a cohesive NHA.

Why have an NHA? NHAs bolster a local economy in the business and tourism sectors while assisting with the cultural, historic, and preservation efforts. There are cyclical effects associated with the designation of an NHA. Business development is stimulated by the promotion of an NHA. Promotion increases tourism to the historic and cultural sites, as well as the spectacular landscapes. Increased tourism has been shown to generate additional secondary service and retail businesses in places where NHAs have been designated. When business is thriving, more businesses are attracted to an area and a community prospers.

How does an NHA work? A local regional board of directors has already been established – the Upper Missouri River Heritage Area Planning Corporation, Incorporated (UMRHAPC). The UMRHAPC is recognized as a corporation by the State of Montana and has obtained its 501(c)(3) standing as a not-for-profit entity with the IRS. The Board of Directors is raising funds to further the Feasibility Study process and promote the NHA concept to engage community organizations, government officials, and local citizens. Board members represent various professions and life experiences including – agriculture, business, banking, public education, accounting, community outreach, museum management, history and archaeology, park management, tourism promotion, fundraising, hydro-power management, and volunteer management.

Who creates an NHA? Only Congress has the authority to create an NHA. Local communities must request this designation, demonstrate widespread support, and prove the area's national significance in an official report called a Feasibility Study. The Board of Directors of the UMRHAPC must justify to Congress why a portion of northcentral Montana deserves designation. Having four National Historic Landmarks within close proximity in the regional area is a strong indicator that our locale already has nationally significant places and stories to offer.

What boundary is being proposed? Defining the boundary is a work in progress and although the UMRHAPC Board of Directors voted on a boundary in October 2016, that proposed boundary may be altered as a result of the findings from the Feasibility Study, public input, and/or Congress. The current working boundaries are: the Missouri River corridor from Fort Benton to the Gates of the Mountains; the Belt Creek drainage from the confluence with the Missouri River to the Showdown Ski Area; the Sun River from the confluence with the Missouri River to the Fort Shaw National Historic District; and the Smith River from the confluence with the Missouri River to Eden Bridge. Communities included are: Fort Benton, the Great Falls metropolitan area, Ulm, Cascade, Craig, Belt, Monarch, Neihart, Vaughn, Sun River, and Fort Shaw. In short, whether private land falls inside or outside an NHA boundary, a private landowner maintains control over their property. No NHA management scenario can diminish or override an individual's private property rights.

How You Can Help:

• Help us continue with our process. If you know of any other interested organization, individuals, or businesses that could support us, please let us know.

• Please contact us if you would like to schedule a presentation to your company, civic group, or board.

• Financially support our Feasibility Study with a monetary donation.