[Source: Blake Morlock, Tucson Citizen] -- With the support of an array of businesses and historians, southern Arizona's congressional representatives are expected to unveil today a bill that would establish 3,300 square miles of national heritage area, albeit with no federal protection. U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords and Raúl Grijalva, both Democrats, were to introduce legislation to create the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. The Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, the group pushing for the federal designation since 2003, has raised $132,000 for an area that straddles the Santa Cruz River from Marana south to Nogales. It would include seven protected landscapes, a half-dozen cultural sites and five municipalities - Nogales, Sahuarita, Tucson, Oro Valley and Marana - spread through two counties. Heritage areas are eligible for up to $10 million in federal money over 15 years to pay for projects that promote historical identity. They do not impose any restrictions on property rights or create new protections for the environment. "Properly handled, this is one of those feel-good, everyone-wins situations," said Nan Stockholm Walden, a lawyer for Farmers Investment Co., which owns Green Valley Pecan Co. The idea is to direct tourists and residents from one landmark to another and promote a cultural identity, said Jonathan Mabry, chairman of the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance. "This is a way to connect people to this place," Mabry said. The landmarks are as diverse as the support. The area includes the San Xavier Mission (pictured) and the Titan Missile Museum. Supporters range from the Tucson Audubon Society to the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association. No opposition has organized against the proposal. Most Heritage Areas are in the East. Only three are west of the Mississippi River, including one in and around Yuma. Yuma officials caused some rancor when they imposed restrictions on property rights within the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area immediately after it was established. Walden attributed the problem to overzealous city employees rather than provisions in the legislation creating the heritage area. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
