Congressman Charlie Dent has reintroduced the National Heritage Area Act as H.R. 445. The bill would govern the 49 existing National Heritage Areas (NHAs) and establish standardized criteria by which future areas will be designated.

New areas would need expanded feasibility studies and a completed and approved management plan to demonstrate that preservation goals will be met and that the NHA will be financially sustainable. H.R. 445 also creates a process to evaluate the performance of existing NHAs, and to determine whether they will continue to receive funding from the National Park Service (NPS). The bill also ensures that private property rights are respected and protected.

Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District is home to the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and includes the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area. The bill is supported by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA). The ANHA is meeting in Washington, DC this week to layout their legislative agenda for the year.