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Publish Date: 10/16/06
FREDERICK -- The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, a path of history through four states, has run into a roadblock.
The National Center for Public Policy Research is opposed to federal designation of the 175-mile corridor as a National Heritage Area, calling it an infringement on property rights.
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6th, is also concerned that the designation may limit the right of landowners to do as they wish with their land, according to his spokeswoman, Lisa Wright.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground stretches through four states -- Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It includes swaths of land on either side of U.S. 15 from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia, to Gettysburg.
Ten of the counties and 15 municipalities along the corridor have voted to become partners in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground. A public-private partnership, the organization exists mostly on private donations, with some grants and public funding.
The Frederick County Commissioners voted to join the partnership last year, along with the municipalities of Brunswick, Mount Airy and Thurmont. Other local partners include Brunswick Main Street, Thurmont First (Thurmont's Main Street organization), the Cozy Restaurant, the Downtown Frederick Partnership and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Neither the county nor local municipalities have voted any money for the partnership. The Federal Highway Administration has provided a $1 million grant for corridor management planning, although most of that money has yet to be released. That money would go toward creating a scenic byway.
Cate Wyatt, president of the partnership, said every federal dollar invested in similar partnerships brings a return of at least $9 in private investment in the area.
But the Center for Public Policy Research, which once had convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff as a board member, opposes that kind of governmental involvement. "The legislation as currently written would harm property rights," said Peyton Knight, director of environmental and regulatory affairs for the Washington-based think tank. "It calls for an unelected special interest group -- the partnership -- to create a land-use management plan."
That, he said, is a euphemism for land-use restrictions.
Ms. Wyatt said that's not true. "We're about education, heritage, tourism," she said. Land use regulations are still up to local governments. The partnership takes a broader view, she said.
"It's economic development, it's jobs, it's celebrating our heritage," said partnership spokeswoman Olwen Pongrace.
Ms. Wyatt lives in Waterford, Va., near Lucketts. Mr. Knight lives in Warrenton, Va., south of Leesburg.
Grass roots
Ms. Wyatt, a one-time developer, conceived the idea of the Hallowed Ground partnership 10 years ago, and decided to start the organization with donations mostly from private citizens. "It's grass-roots support," she said.
The partnership runs on about $400,000 a year and has five employees, most of whom work from home. A newly-published 230-page softcover travel guide, "The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" will be sold in local tourist outlets as a fundraiser. The book sells for $20.
The partnership hopes the area will become part of the National Park Service's National Heritage Area program. That program provides federal dollars for land preservation, money to market the area as a tourist destination and help in developing programs that showcase the area's history.
Mr. Knight said if the Journey area becomes part of that program, the Park Service would be advising local governments on land use. That, he said, would result in the federal government in essence telling local owners what to do with their land.
John Fieseler, executive director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County and a board member of Journey Through Hallowed Ground, said local control would remain. "I understand where folks may be concerned, but I don't see where anything would take away local control over zoning and land use," he said.
Frederick County Commissioner Mike Cady, known for his support of property rights, said he supports the partnership and its philosophy. "I'm very excited about it," he said. "I think it's a win-win situation."
Mr. Cady has met with Mr. Knight, but said, "I don't share his point of view." He has read all the many documents from the partnership, the Park Service and the Center for Public Policy, but hasn't found any wording that supports what the Center for Public Policy is claiming.
"It gives property owners an opportunity to participate, but it does not require them," he said.
The Heritage Area would make it easier for landowners to put their land into preservation easements if they choose, Ms. Wyatt said. Although the county has programs for preservation easements, the partnership could enlarge the pot of available money. A Heritage Area designation by the Park Service could enlarge that pot even more, she said.
There are 27 existing Heritage Areas, with 10 more about to be approved. The Hallowed Ground area would become the 38th Heritage Area if Congress approves it.
"It's not a preservation area," Ms. Pongrace said. "It's a recognition. Funding would be used for outreach. It would be up to local businesses and local landowners to tap into the money that's available."
Mr. Knight said the Center for Public Policy is paying more attention to the Journey Through Hallowed Ground area than other areas that have or might become Heritage Areas.
"This one is particularly egregious as far as federal tax dollars for private property and a management plan for the area," he said.
Mr. Knight said his office has received "a smattering of e-mails and phone calls" about the plan. According to the National Park Service Web site for Heritage Areas, "National Park Service involvement is always advisory in nature; it neither makes nor carries out management decisions."
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sec...ryid=53147#Top
Publish Date: 10/16/06
Staff photo by Skip Lawrence A national foundation says heritage area will infringe on property rights. The scene above is looking west from U.S. 15 South between Emmitsburg and Thurmont. | ||
The National Center for Public Policy Research is opposed to federal designation of the 175-mile corridor as a National Heritage Area, calling it an infringement on property rights.
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6th, is also concerned that the designation may limit the right of landowners to do as they wish with their land, according to his spokeswoman, Lisa Wright.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground stretches through four states -- Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It includes swaths of land on either side of U.S. 15 from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia, to Gettysburg.
Ten of the counties and 15 municipalities along the corridor have voted to become partners in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground. A public-private partnership, the organization exists mostly on private donations, with some grants and public funding.
The Frederick County Commissioners voted to join the partnership last year, along with the municipalities of Brunswick, Mount Airy and Thurmont. Other local partners include Brunswick Main Street, Thurmont First (Thurmont's Main Street organization), the Cozy Restaurant, the Downtown Frederick Partnership and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Neither the county nor local municipalities have voted any money for the partnership. The Federal Highway Administration has provided a $1 million grant for corridor management planning, although most of that money has yet to be released. That money would go toward creating a scenic byway.
Cate Wyatt, president of the partnership, said every federal dollar invested in similar partnerships brings a return of at least $9 in private investment in the area.
But the Center for Public Policy Research, which once had convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff as a board member, opposes that kind of governmental involvement. "The legislation as currently written would harm property rights," said Peyton Knight, director of environmental and regulatory affairs for the Washington-based think tank. "It calls for an unelected special interest group -- the partnership -- to create a land-use management plan."
That, he said, is a euphemism for land-use restrictions.
Ms. Wyatt said that's not true. "We're about education, heritage, tourism," she said. Land use regulations are still up to local governments. The partnership takes a broader view, she said.
"It's economic development, it's jobs, it's celebrating our heritage," said partnership spokeswoman Olwen Pongrace.
Ms. Wyatt lives in Waterford, Va., near Lucketts. Mr. Knight lives in Warrenton, Va., south of Leesburg.
Grass roots
Ms. Wyatt, a one-time developer, conceived the idea of the Hallowed Ground partnership 10 years ago, and decided to start the organization with donations mostly from private citizens. "It's grass-roots support," she said.
The partnership runs on about $400,000 a year and has five employees, most of whom work from home. A newly-published 230-page softcover travel guide, "The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" will be sold in local tourist outlets as a fundraiser. The book sells for $20.
The partnership hopes the area will become part of the National Park Service's National Heritage Area program. That program provides federal dollars for land preservation, money to market the area as a tourist destination and help in developing programs that showcase the area's history.
Mr. Knight said if the Journey area becomes part of that program, the Park Service would be advising local governments on land use. That, he said, would result in the federal government in essence telling local owners what to do with their land.
John Fieseler, executive director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County and a board member of Journey Through Hallowed Ground, said local control would remain. "I understand where folks may be concerned, but I don't see where anything would take away local control over zoning and land use," he said.
Frederick County Commissioner Mike Cady, known for his support of property rights, said he supports the partnership and its philosophy. "I'm very excited about it," he said. "I think it's a win-win situation."
Mr. Cady has met with Mr. Knight, but said, "I don't share his point of view." He has read all the many documents from the partnership, the Park Service and the Center for Public Policy, but hasn't found any wording that supports what the Center for Public Policy is claiming.
"It gives property owners an opportunity to participate, but it does not require them," he said.
The Heritage Area would make it easier for landowners to put their land into preservation easements if they choose, Ms. Wyatt said. Although the county has programs for preservation easements, the partnership could enlarge the pot of available money. A Heritage Area designation by the Park Service could enlarge that pot even more, she said.
There are 27 existing Heritage Areas, with 10 more about to be approved. The Hallowed Ground area would become the 38th Heritage Area if Congress approves it.
"It's not a preservation area," Ms. Pongrace said. "It's a recognition. Funding would be used for outreach. It would be up to local businesses and local landowners to tap into the money that's available."
Mr. Knight said the Center for Public Policy is paying more attention to the Journey Through Hallowed Ground area than other areas that have or might become Heritage Areas.
"This one is particularly egregious as far as federal tax dollars for private property and a management plan for the area," he said.
Mr. Knight said his office has received "a smattering of e-mails and phone calls" about the plan. According to the National Park Service Web site for Heritage Areas, "National Park Service involvement is always advisory in nature; it neither makes nor carries out management decisions."
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sec...ryid=53147#Top
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