In 2010, the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP) completed a feasibility study to designate Washington’s saltwater coastline as the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. Nine years later, in March 2019, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area (MW-NHA) was officially established by Congress as part of the 2019 John Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.

The MW-NHA encompasses nearly all of Washington’s saltwater coastline– over 3,000 miles total. The National Heritage Area is intended to highlight Washington’s nationally significant maritime heritage, enhancing heritage tourism while celebrating working waterfronts and supporting healthy marine waters.

Under guidelines set by the National Park Service, a management plan outlining strategies and recommendations for the MW-NHA must be developed by March 2022. The Governor’s proposed 2020 Supplemental Budget includes one-time funding of $150,000 (within DAHP’s budget) to support development of this management plan– an amount that will be matched with federal funds. Once the management plan is developed and approved, additional federal dollars for the program can be passed through to ports, local jurisdictions and maritime heritage organizations within the NHA boundaries.

However, we need YOUR HELP to make sure this funding is approved.

TAKE ACTION – SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE MARITIME WASHINGTON NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA!

Please urge your state legislators to support the Governor’s proposal to provide $150,000 to the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation for development of the Management Plan.

If your Legislative District includes saltwater shoreline, it is located within the boundary of the MW-NHA. If you live in one of these districts, contact your legislators and ask for their support!

Additionally, if your legislators are part of the Senate Ways & Means Committee or the House Appropriations Committee, we also encourage you to reach out!

You can find contact information for all legislators and their aides on the Legislative Roster webpage.

Key talking points for legislators

  • National Heritage Areas are catalysts for economic development in the communities in which they are located.
  • An independent 2012 study found that National Heritage Areas overall annual economic impact in the U.S. is $12.9 billion, primarily in the form of tourism spending.
  • The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area will implement public-private partnerships with a variety of stakeholders to highlight cultural, historical and natural resources of the region.
  • The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is non-regulatory: management is undertaken by a locally based nonprofit with no regulatory authority.

Sample text for messages to legislators

We encourage you to attach this one-page information sheet  about the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area as part of your email.

 

Dear Sen/Rep [Name],

I’m writing today to ask for your support for the newly designated Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. Governor Inslee’s proposed 2020 Supplemental Budget includes one-time funding of $150,000 for the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation to develop a Management Plan for the new National Heritage Area. These state funds are needed to match federal dollars allocated for the program. The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area will work to increase heritage tourism while celebrating the rich maritime legacy our region enjoys. Please support one-time funding of $150,000 for this program to help develop a critical new resource for heritage preservation and economic development in our state.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]