Submitted by United States Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
WASHINGTON (December 18, 2024) – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) applauded the passage of his bill to include Lafourche Parish within the boundary of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA) continuing a commitment to sustain the unique heritage of “America’s Foreign Country.” It has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a celebration of Louisiana’s history and culture,” said Dr. Cassidy. “With today’s passage, we not only extend the footprint but create jobs and protect this sportsmen’s paradise for generations.”
Cassidy and U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the bill in December 2023. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) and U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA-06), Julia Letlow (R-LA-05), Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), and Troy Carter (D-LA-02).
Originally signed into law in 2006, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act established the National Heritage Area for 15 years in the following parishes: St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin, St. Landry, Avoyelles, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafayette, West Baton Rouge, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, and Ascension. In early 2023, the Atchafalaya NHA was reauthorized to continue work until 2037.
Background
The Mission of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, America’s Foreign Country, is to build understanding and identity, raising local, regional, and national awareness of the Atchafalaya region; to strengthen the fabric of the place; to expand economic opportunities and increase the community collaboration and involvement within the parishes that constitute the heritage area while supporting a healthier Atchafalaya ecosystem and enhancing natural resource-based recreation opportunities.
National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a nationally important landscape. NHAs are not national park units, rather, the National Park Service partners with, provides technical assistance, and distributes matching federal funds from Congress to NHA entities. The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is one of 55 designated by Congress since 1984.
