HR6798-119

What This Bill Does

The Calumet National Heritage Area Act recognizes the Calumet region around southern Lake Michigan as a nationally distinctive industrial, natural, and cultural landscape. Congress cites the regions early twentieth century industrial scale, continued steel production, biodiversity, Indiana Dunes National Park, immigrant and migrant worker history, transportation assets, environmental recovery, and educational value. The bill amends the National Heritage Area System to establish the Calumet National Heritage Area in specified portions of Indiana and Illinois and names the Calumet Heritage Partnership as the local coordinating entity. The designation uses boundaries described in the 2018 feasibility study, including Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties in Indiana and portions of Chicago and nearby Illinois communities.

Who Benefits and How

Calumet region communities benefit from federal recognition that can support heritage tourism, interpretation, conservation partnerships, and regional identity. The Calumet Heritage Partnership benefits by receiving the formal local coordinating role. Visitors, educators, museums, conservation groups, and local businesses benefit if the designation increases tourism and investment in cultural, natural, and industrial heritage interpretation. Local governments benefit from a shared framework for promoting the area.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Calumet Heritage Partnership must coordinate planning, partnerships, and heritage-area responsibilities. National Park Service staff must administer the new National Heritage Area System component and review required planning or coordination work under existing program rules. Federal taxpayers may bear costs if appropriations or technical assistance are provided through the National Heritage Area System. Local governments and partner organizations may need to coordinate across county and state boundaries.

Key Provisions

• Adds the Calumet National Heritage Area to the National Heritage Area System in specified Indiana and Illinois geography.
• Establishes the Calumet Heritage Partnership as the local coordinating entity for the new heritage area.
• Amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to include the Calumet designation.
• Defines the heritage area boundaries by reference to the 2018 feasibility study and named county and Chicago-area geography.