The Commission shall prepare a report . . . There are more than 100 heritage areas in the United States, with several bearing national designation. Definitions of heritage corridors and heritage areas are evolving, but generally these areas represent large, identifiable, and diverse landscapes with many significant resources and themes. They function through partnerships of all levels of community and government and are operated to coordinate public enjoyment of unique resources while respecting the integrity of private ownership and control. Heritage corridor partnerships provide an opportunity for community-based involvement.
All interested parties can join together to define and accomplish common goals and visions.
Depending on the goals of the heritage area, these can include improving economic opportunities, enhancing the quality of life, preserving important resources and community values, conserving, protecting, or restoring biological diversity, and providing needed recreational and educational opportunities. Heritage corridors are composite reflections of the people who live and have lived in them. The valley is a composite of significant natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources linked by multiple themes covering a long period of time. Created through ice-age activity and inhabited for thousands of years, the valley is a patchwork of historic and archeological sites, natural habitats and refuges, parks and scenic wonders. The river is biologically diverse.