NRGNHA News:
ESPAÑOLA —Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law the National Heritage Area Act (S. 1942) effectively reauthorizing New Mexico’s Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) for 15 years.
This action followed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approving the bill on a bi-partisan vote of 326-95 on Dec. 22, 2022, and the previous unusual vote of “unanimous consent” by the Senate requiring no objections from any of the 100 Senators.
With the passing of this legislation, the NRGNHA was reauthorized through September 2037, whose original sunset date was September 2023. NRGNHA focuses on sustaining the communities, cultures, and traditions within the counties of Santa Fe, Taos, and Rio Arriba and includes the Eight Northern Pueblos, The Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Cities of Santa Fe, Española and the Town of Taos.
This legislation replaces a patchwork of individual authorizations and creates a stable system of funding for the 55 National Heritage Areas (NHAs) across the country, including New Mexico’s only NHA, the NRGNHA. The bill creates clear criteria for designation and accountability, fiscal stability through a 15-year renewal of the program, and a commitment to protect private property rights. Reflecting the popularity of the concept, an additional seven (NHAs) were designated.
NRGNHA President, Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen said, “It was against all odds and a true Christmas miracle that we got this bill across the finish line. We have all been working on this for over 6-10 years. I want to recognize the role that the National Association of Counties (NACo) played in helping encourage Congress to pass this legislation, the huge effort by all the members of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, and Senators and Representations on both side of the aisle. New Mexico’s Senator Heinrich played an important role in getting it approved and the bill out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Senate. Rep. Leger Fernandez pushed leadership in the House to get this bill passed in the last days of the year. It was the best present ever to have funding for 15 years to help non-profits who work to preserve our history and culture.”
Sen. Martin Heinrich said, “Our arts and culture in New Mexico are beautiful, complex, and truly unique. The Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area draws visitors from around the globe and gives context and meaning to our New Mexican way of life. I am proud to reauthorize the NRGNHA for another 15 years so that we can continue promoting our state’s natural and cultural resources for generations to come.”
Rep. Leger Fernández said, “Culture, land, water, and history intertwine in the Northern Rio Grande to create a landscape and way of life that is beautifully diverse and precious. As a Nuevo Mexicana, I deeply value the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area and am grateful to have led work in the House of Representatives to sustain it. This law reauthorizes the NRGHA so that we can continue federal support for the communities, traditions, sacred and historic places, and environment that make Northern New Mexico special.”
Sara Capen, who leads the Alliance of National Heritage Areas celebrated the landmark legislation said, “The National Heritage Area Act is a testament to the tremendous work National Heritage Areas do within communities across America. It is a direct reflection of the determination and resilience that is not only the bedrock of National Heritage Areas, but also the history of the places and people National Heritage Areas represent. The Alliance of National Heritage Areas is profoundly grateful for the tireless leadership and support we have received on a bipartisan basis within Congress today and look forward to serving our communities for an additional 15 years.”
NRGNHA is an 8,000 square mile region in northern New Mexico that celebrates the history and culture of the region. This area is home to the Eight Northern Pueblos, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, numerous Spanish colonial sites and many other historic sites that tell the story of the rich, diverse, and interconnected cultures of Northern New Mexico. NRGNHA provides and helps fund educational programming, cultural events, and conservation initiatives to ensure the preservation of this area’s diverse cultural heritage.
NRGNHA’s Board recently hired Eric Vasquez as its new executive director. Board members include President, Commissioner Anna Hansen of Santa Fe County; Vice President, David Fernandez of Taos; Secretary, Roger Martinez of Taos; and Treasurer, City Councilor Michael Garcia of Santa Fe. New board members include Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Debra Garcia y Griego; Mayor John Ramon Vigil of Espanola; and Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs at the Land Office, Tarin Nix. Continuing board members include Commissioner Darlene Vigil of Taos County; Town Councilor Corilla Ortega of Taos; Mary Mascarenas of Llano; Samuel Delgado and Charlotte Roybal of Santa Fe.
