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Congresswoman Tenney Reintroduces Legislation to Designate the Finger Lakes Region as a National Heritage Area

April 7, 2025

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced legislation to designate the Finger Lakes Region as a National Heritage Area in order to support conservation, recreation, and economic development in the region.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led this legislation in the Senate.

National Heritage Areas (NHA) are established by Congress to “recognize a region’s natural, cultural, or historic significance.” Unlike national parks, NHAs are large, populated, lived-in areas that collaborate with communities to connect heritage with local interests and needs. The counties included in the legislation are Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates.

“The Finger Lakes Region is known for its rich, robust history and natural beauty, making it an ideal candidate to become a National Heritage Area,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Finger Lakes Region is a landmark of NY-24, and establishing this area as an NHA will preserve the region’s history and stories for generations to come. It’s a privilege to reintroduce this legislation, and I am eager to see our region receive the recognition it deserves.”

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