THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, U.S.A.
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume V, Issue # 155, June 11, 2003
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
THE GREAT NATIONAL LAND GRAB
By Peyton Knight
Land grabbers in Congress, led by Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO), want to pass federal legislation (H.R. 1427) to create a National Heritage Areas
program. Property rights advocates must be on the alert and prepared to fight to ensure that such a program never comes into existence.
National Heritage Areas present many dangers to traditional property rights and local zoning. Here are a few of the more serious
implications and problems associ- ated with an NHA program:
I. National Heritage Areas are de facto federal zoning. Despite proponents' claims to the contrary, as federal dollars flow from
Washington to individual NHAs, inevitably, federal strings are attached. One of these strings is federal zoning mandates.
For example, when the Augusta Canal NHA was undergoing initial approval, the National Park Service urged the House Resources
Committee to withhold federal funds from Augusta Canal until a commitment was shown by those overseeing the creation of the NHA
to implement stricter zoning laws and even create a State park. Land use and zoning is an inherent function of local government.
NHAs promote a top-down, federal approach to land use that would spell disaster for local communi- ties.
II. National Heritage Areas stifle local initiative and control. When born of local initiative, planning and money, Heritage Areas
are more apt to have the consensus of the property and business owners within their boundaries. Indeed, there are many State
Heritage Areas that are totally sustained by local businesses and governments, operating free of federal money or intrusion.
National Heritage Areas oper- ate quite differently. It is not necessarily the desire of the local community to create a NHA in their
area, but rather the desire of a special interest group or a federal agency. Preliminary boundaries are drawn, locals are inadequately
informed of the pending NHA designation, federal money and assistance is wafted under the noses of local officials, and the process
goes forward, despite what is in the best interest or desire of the community.
III. Property owners are not properly notified when their land falls within the bound- aries of a proposed National Heritage Area.
It is morally imperative that landown- ers be notified any time a federal designation could affect their property rights in any manner.
Yet proponents of National Heritage Areas refuse to offer this most com- mon courtesy. This is because they fear opposition to
NHA designations and would rather spring the news on unsuspecting landowners.
IV. National Heritage Areas not only promote federal land acquisition, but also ac- quire land themselves. Both the Cane River and
Shenandoah National Battlefields National Heritage Areas are authorized to use federal funds for land acquisition, and thus, have created
national parks within their boundaries. Others, such as the Riv- ers of Steel NHA in Pennsylvania, are openly lobbying for land
acquisition and park creation. Property owners within these NHAs must now contend with ideologically driven land trusts
partnered with federal agencies hungry to either acquire their land or restrict its use.
V. A National Heritage Areas program would grow exponentially and become a mas- sive funding burden to the federal government.
A National Heritage Areas program could not come at a worse time. Once a National Heritage Area program is estab- lished, local
government officials and non-governmental organizations will clamor for more and more federal dollars. As the program grows out
of control, so too will its strain on the federal budget and its burden on a National Park Service that is already facing a multi-billion dollar
maintenance backlog.
The National Heritage Areas program is an expensive, insidious attempt by non-governmental organizations and federal agencies to
impose land use controls and zoning mandates on unsuspecting local communities. It is my view, and the view of others in
the property rights community, that there is zero justification for such a program at the federal level. The Senate Resources
Committee has a golden opportunity to quash this dangerous program before it spreads like wildfire throughout the nation,
devouring local communities.
More on Policy Issues Relating to
Energy, Environment, & Natural Resources
Peyton Knight is the Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Policy Center, a grassroots, activist think tank headquartered in
Warrenton, VA. The American Policy Center maintains an Internet site at www.americanpolicy.org and is located at 98 Alexandria Pike
(#43), Warrenton, Virginia, 20186. Telephone Number: (540) 341-8911.
Copyright 2003 Peyton Knight
Published with Permission of Alan Caruba
ACaruba@AOL.Com
Return to Top of Page
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE,
Public Issues & Political Controversies
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE,
Volume V, 2003
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE,
Subject Matter Highlights, Page Two
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE,
Subject Matter Highlights, Page One
Return to POLITICAL EDUCATION Homepage
This is not a commercial website. The sole purpose of the website is to share with interested persons information regarding civics,
civic and social education, political science, government, politics, law, constitutional law and history, public policy, and political
philosophy and history, as well as current and recent political developments, public issues, and political controversies.
POLITICAL EDUCATION, CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS
POLITICS, SOCIETY, & THE SOVEREIGN STATE
Website of Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.
Government, Politics, Public Policy, Legal Issues, Constitutional Law, Government & the Economy, Cultural Values, Foreign Affairs,
International Relations, Military Defense & National Security, Geopolitics, Terrorism & Homeland Security, American National Interests,
Political Systems & Processes, Political Institutions, Political Ideologies, & Political Philosophy
INDEX FOR THE ENTIRE WEBSITE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Conservative & Free-Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic,
Cultural, Military, International, Strategic, & Geopolitical Issues
Conservative Government Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity