Reauthorization of Crawford & Venango County's Oil Region National Heritage Area Passes U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Heritage Area Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). The bill reauthorizes the Oil Region National Heritage Area, located in Crawford and Venango counties, along with the 44 other National Heritage Areas (NHA) set to expire by 2024 for another 15 years, ensuring long-term security for these sites and the communities they benefit. 

This year, the bill was passed in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, meaning that for the first time, there is a bipartisan Senate agreement on a long-term NHA reauthorization.

The bill now goes to President Biden for his signature.

"This is a big win for the Titusville area, which is so rich in history and tradition," Rep. Kelly said. "Cultural heritage tourism adds more than $192 billion to the U.S. economy every year, including at the Oil Region National Heritage Area in eastern Crawford County. I'm thankful we could get this critical piece of legislation over the finish line."

BACKGROUND

• The Oil Region Heritage Area Foundation is located in City of Titusville and Oil Creek Township in eastern Crawford County, Hydetown Borough in eastern Crawford County, and all of Venango County.
• The Oil Region was designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an official Pennsylvania Heritage Area in 1994 and by the National Park Service as an official National Heritage Area (NHA) in 2004.
• The state and federal designations for the Oil Region National Heritage Area use the same boundaries, comprising 34 municipalities in 708 square miles
• The goal of NHAs is to conserve, enhance, and interpret the areas' natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources that illustrate significant aspects of U.S. heritage. Notably, in 1859, “Colonel” Edwin Drake drilled the world’s first commercial oil well, initiating a chain of events that literally changed the world.
• The bill also sets up a much-needed framework for the designation and management of new and existing National Heritage Areas.
• Managed by the Oil Region Alliance, the Oil Region NHA's development activities address the following goals: cultural conservation and preservation; recreation and open space; economic development and community revitalization; promotion; education and interpretation; intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships.