(1) The act of June 28, 1995 (P.L. 89, No. 18),¹ known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, created the department and empowered the department to administer State heritage conservation programs, such as the Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program.

(2) The Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program consists of heritage areas, which are multicounty regions located in this Commonwealth and designated by gubernatorial action that promotes an appreciation of the history and heritage of the regions.

(3) Since 1989, heritage areas assist communities in developing, restoring, preserving and conserving nationally, State and locally significant historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources through capital and programmatic investments.

(4) Heritage areas have successfully demonstrated the ability to create public, private and nonprofit investment partnerships leveraging significant investments for every dollar of Commonwealth funds.

(5) Heritage areas are a key catalyst in regions of this Commonwealth for economic growth and community development strategies and investments resulting in tourism promotion, small business development and the creation of jobs.

(6) The Commonwealth's program has long been recognized, studied and replicated by other states and the National Park Service as a model for successful heritage and community conservation and development.

(7) Due to the success of the program, a targeted effort should be made to promote this Commonwealth's heritage areas by providing dedicated funding.