Congressmen Blake Moore and Mike Simpson Introduce the Bear River Heritage Area Study Act to Study Feasibility of Establishing the Bear River Heritage Area

Press Release

Today, Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) was joined by Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) in introducing the Bear River Heritage Study Act, which would require the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Bear River Heritage Area in Utah and Idaho in the historic Bear River area, allowing local communities in the Bear River area to protect important elements of their heritage and promote the area's tourism industry.

"All those who are familiar with the Bear River area appreciate its rich cultural and historical heritage," said Congressman Blake Moore. "I am proud to introduce the Bear River Heritage Study Act, which would be a vital first step in establishing the Bear River Heritage Area and elevating this important land to a more distinguished classification, protecting local heritage, and boosting the area's tourism industry."

"The Bear River Heritage Study Act will answer questions surrounding the economic opportunity a heritage area would have on southeastern Idaho," said Congressman Mike Simpson. "I am pleased to join Congressman Moore in this pursuit as we seek to empower these small communities."

The Bear River Heritage Area includes seven counties between northern Utah and southeastern Idaho.

The full bill text can be found here.

The Bear River Heritage Study Act has received broad support from several groups, organizations, and individuals including:

Bear River Association of Governments
Cache Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum
Cache Valley Center for the Arts
Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce
Cache Valley Visitors Bureau
City of St. Charles, Idaho
Folklore Society of Utah
Franklin Relic Hall Museum & Historical Site
Friends United for Bear Lake
Gail Griswold, exhibit designer
Idaho Commission on the Arts
Lisa Gabbert, Associate Professor of Folklore and American Studies at Utah State University
Randy Williams of the Utah Humanities Board of Trustees and Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection Board
Southeast Idaho High Country Tourism
Stokes Nature Center

Source