Maritime Heritage Network - National Maritime Heritage Area

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DESTINATION HERITAGE

National Maritime Heritage Area (Page 2)

Thank you for your interest in the National Maritime Heritage Area. On this page, you'll find information about the feasibility study process, a history of activities so far, and a list of feasibility study steering committee members. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact Fauna Doyle or Curt Warber.

THE PROCESS

The pursuit of a National Heritage Area designation begins with a local idea and nationally significant historic resources and stories. Local organizations and agencies then work with the National Park Service to draft a feasibility study demonstrating sustainable support for the area, resources of national significance, and proposed themes and management structure for the proposed area. The feasibility study is submitted to Congress, where, if approved, legislation is drafted designating the identified region as a National Heritage Area. Once an NHA has been designated, a Management Plan must be completed, detailing the goals and strategies of the area’s management entity.

Progress in Washington State
At this stage of the process, the Washington State legislature has provided seed funding to complete a feasibility study. The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is managing the feasibility study, with guidance from a steering committee that includes representatives from tribes, local and state governments, heritage organizations, and other stakeholders.

Comments and input received during the public input process will be incorporated into the final feasibility study and reflected in the themes, resources, and boundaries identified.

Below is a brief history of Washington’s National Maritime Heritage Area efforts:

2004		The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation sponsors a Maritime Heritage Summit in Seattle to identify critical issues and opportunities affecting maritime heritage.
2005		The Seattle/King County Task Force on Maritime Heritage begins exploring opportunities for revitalizing maritime heritage in the region. It is apparent that in order to preserve and celebrate the region’s maritime heritage, all resources and communities along the state’s saltwater coast will need to be included.
2006		Grassroots effort begins to pursue designation for Washington’s saltwater coast as a National Heritage Area.
2008		The Washington State Legislature charges the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation with conducting a feasibility study to establish a National Heritage Area that recognizes the full extent of Washington State’s rich maritime heritage, from the Pacific to the Strait to the Sound.
2009		The feasibility study process is started in compliance with the National Park Service guidelines to assess overall feasibility and define boundaries and resources, establish support, and identify a local management structure.

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND PARTICIPATION
As a part of the feasibility study, extensive regional outreach is being conducted to assess support for designation and provide an opportunity for local communities to shape the proposal.

Stakeholder Meetings - Completed in April

Seven meetings were held between April 20 and April 27 in Anacortes, Bellingham, Bremerton, Hoquiam, Port Angeles, Seattle, and Tacoma. Elected officials, tribal officials, port officials, maritime heritage stakeholders, and representatives from economic development and tourism organizations shared their thoughts, concerns, and recommendations regarding the proposed National Heritage Area.

Regional Workshops – Completed in June

Seven public workshops were held in Aberdeen, Anacortes, Bellingham, Bremerton, Port Townsend, Seattle, and Tacoma to gather input and advice from the general public about the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal. Feedback from the workshops will be incorporated into the report. Workshop posters

The study is expected to be completed Summer 2009

STEERING COMMITTEE
• Dick Thompson, Principal, Thompson Consulting; Chair
• Allyson Brooks, Ph.D., Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation; Staff
• Chris Endresen, Office of Maria Cantwell
• Leonard Forsman, Suquamish Tribe
• Chuck Fowler, President, Puget Sound Maritime Heritage Council
• Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County
• Patricia Lantz, Member, Washington State Heritage Center Trust Board of Trustees
• Flo Lentz, 4 Culture
• Jennifer Meisner, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
• Lita Stanton, Gig Harbor Arts Commission

Return to National Maritime Heritage Area main page

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This project has been funded in part by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Eldridge Campbell Stockton Memorial Preservation Services Fund.
© 2005 Maritime Heritage Network