Georgetown Idaho

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-03

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEAR RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

WHEREAS, the Counties of Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin and Oneida of the State of Idaho; and the Counties of Box Elder, Cache and Rich of the State of Utah share a common wealth of cultural, historical and natural resources, and

WHEREAS, the aforementioned cultural and historical resources includethe Bear River Massacre in 1863, and the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, the trapping and fur trade industry, overland pioneer travel and Mormon settlement, agriculture and mining, transportation history, and natural resources such as the Bear River itself; and

WHEREAS, the residents and agencies of the Bear River area have been engaged in designating and operating a Bear River Heritage Area for over 18 years which promotes and educates the public of these cultural, historical, and natural resources; and

WHEREAS, the Heritage Area Program is found in the Historic Sites Act, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and related statues, and is under jurisdiction of the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service; and

WHEREAS, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 establishes a national policy for federal agencies to use measures such as financial and technical assistance to promote National Heritage Areas; and

WHEREAS, each National Heritage Area has been authorized by a specific federal statute in an effort to effectively carry out the national policy with these same statutes assigning a prominent role for the National Park Service to play in nurturing the areas and supporting the success of a designated National Heritage Area; and

WHEREAS, nothing in this bill affects the rights of private property owners, zoning in cities and towns, or creates any liability on the part of said town; and

WHEREAS, establishment of a Bear River National Heritage Area would be of cultural and economic benefit to Bear Lake County and the City of Georgetown by promoting the conservation of cultural, historic, and natural resources, while improving the area’s economic vitality, all guided by a management plan developed by the commission and approved by the Secretary of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, more specifically the City of Georgetown Council feel that a National Heritage Area designation will help grow our regional tourism industry through grants, technical assistance, and other strategies aimed at assisting local artisans and businesses and improving the tourist experience in the region.

DATED this ___7th__ day of November, 2019.

CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Bear Lake County, Idaho

ATTEST:

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Stephan R. Waechtler
Mayor

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Lynette Smith, City Clerk