• What distinctive stories unite the region ?
• How is this important to our Nation ’ s heritage ?
• How do we want to share those stories ?
• Are existing resources sufficient for cohesive , in-depth , interactive storytelling ?
• How can we pool and leverage our human and financial resources with other initiatives ?
• Does local support and organizational capacity exist to fund , administrate , and manage an NHA for the long-term ?
• Is NHA designation the right strategy to achieve community goals ?
• How would NHA designation support & expand community conservation and development goals ?
• Where are the proposed NHA boundary delineations , based on the above points ?
Climbing Champlain Mountain- The beauty and mystery of what is now Acadia National Park on Mt . Desert Island has attracted summer visitors for thousands of years , beginning with the Wabanaki people . Climbing the mountains was a favorite activity for rusticators . These mountains now draw millions of outdoor enthusiasts and tourists to the park annually . Illustration by Charles S . Reinhart from Harper ’ s New Monthly Magazine , August 1886 . Photo courtesy of Abbe Museum .
A Feasibility Study for NHA Designation examines a region ’ s national significance from a number of angles . National Heritage Area designation requires meeting 10 base criteria – the Feasibility Study evaluates whether or not these criteria can be met . The 10 criteria are :
1 . An area has an assemblage of natural , historic , or cultural resources that together represent distinctive aspects of American heritage worthy of recognition , conservation , interpretation , and continuing use , and are best managed as such an assemblage through partnerships
14