Explore America Act of 2023
If enacted, HB3158 could notably impact local economies by strengthening partnerships between the National Park Service and gateway communities, including Tribal communities. The bill sets forth provisions that allow these communities to apply for financial and technical assistance, enhancing their ability to promote and manage cultural heritage tourism effectively. The infusion of federal resources aims to provide significant support to local projects that reflect their unique heritage and tourist attractions, thereby fostering economic development and job creation.
House Bill 3158, known as the Explore America Act of 2023, seeks to amend title 54 of the United States Code to enhance the Preserve America Program. The bill's main purpose is to authorize the provision of technical assistance aimed at supporting cultural heritage tourism and historic preservation activities. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish partnerships with communities nearby units of the National Park System to leverage local cultural heritage assets for tourism development. The bill aims to promote economic growth through these initiatives and improve community welfare by enhancing tourism opportunities.
Notably, the bill includes provisions for measuring the effectiveness of the technical assistance and financial aid provided by establishing specific metrics. This accountability measure may lead to further discussions on the allocation of federal funds and the prioritization of certain communities or projects. Stakeholders may have differing opinions regarding which types of cultural heritage should be promoted and how to balance preservation efforts with economic interests, potentially leading to debates in the broader context of public funding for tourism versus conservation.