National Heritage Areas: Tourism tool or land grab?

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners heard from two sides of an issue that, depending on whom you believe, will deprive property owners of rights or help provide income to help them preserve that property.

Commissioners received a massive book by Norman L. Kincaide PhD, warning against the establishment of National Heritage Areas.

An accompanying letter from activist Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City summarized Kincaide’s arguments. “After an area is designated a National Heritage Area, a ‘boundary’ is drawn around the area that is enclosed and efforts begin implementing land-use regulations on all property within the boundaries. The purpose is to ‘protect’ historic sites, land other ‘assets’ identified by those with ‘self-appointed’ control over the NHA. One focus appears to be returning the land to its original state, which for much of our area, would be a return to native grasses. The land-use regulations can begin removing a landowner’s right to do as he pleases on his own property … all without the land owner’s knowledge or consent. But the private property owner retains ownership of the land and still pays taxes, even though what can be done on or with the property is restricted.”

Appearing in person Monday, however, Carol Schlegel, director of McCook/Red Willow County Tourism, said some of the opposite effects are actually true.

“I did research it prior to becoming involved with it to make sure … I’m not going to do anything that’s a detriment to our personal property,” a farm that’s 150 years old, she said.

Stemming from a University of Nebraska research study, the program can provide some federal funding to help preserve and maintain … our heritage in these areas, which provides for more possibilities to travelers to come through here” and visit historic sites like the Willa Cather home, Massacre Canyon in Hitchcock County and the Duke Alexis site in Hayes County.

“You know the research I did on it just for my own personal standpoint – I am very comfortable that there is nothing to affect personal property rights.”

She said there has never been an instance where the program had deprived an owner of the right to use their property as they so desired.

Schlegel said there’s no guarantee the idea of a National Heritage Area will gain traction in our area, as it will require a feasibility study, costing $40,000 in private funds.

She said the concept actually goes back to the administration of Ronald Reagan, who had a desire to maintain private property rights while avoiding the eminent domain process previously used to establish national parks.

Read National Park Service information on National Heritage Areas here.

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  • I was just reading some information about a National Heritage Area when your news item popped up. There were many red flags that jumped up at me in that N-H info. One is the National Park Service being a player. I have to read more but do believe the average people in other Heritage Areas should be contacted to get their opinions. Some of the financing raised some questions. When we see other land grabs like 30x30 going on it best to be very careful about making any definite commitments at this time.

    -- Posted by kpgal on Wed, Mar 17, 2021, at 9:39 PM
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