U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) visited Slaughter Pen battlefield today to announce his second bill, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act. The bipartisan bill introduced by Kaine and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War will preserve historical battlegrounds by reauthorizing the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program (CWBPP) that provides competitive federal grants to match private and non-profit donations.
“I am pleased to introduce this bill with Sen. Cochran,” said Kaine. “Historical battlegrounds serve as living reminders of our nation’s past. In Virginia, we have more Civil War battlefields than any other state, and I am committed to working with both parties and members of our delegation to ensure this hallowed ground is preserved for local citizens and tourists who visit these sites.”
“With this year marking the 150th anniversary of so many pivotal Civil War battles, it is an appropriate time to extend our efforts to preserve key battlefield sites,” said Cochran. “These sites remind us of the enormous sacrifices made by our forebears in the name of freedom, and should be protected in order to help teach future generations of Americans.”
Since the program was initiated in December 2002, more than 17,500 acres of high-priority Civil War battle sites have been preserved to boost tourism and conserve land while preserving the nation’s heritage. The Civil War Trust estimates there are still more than 50,000 acres of unprotected battlefield land in Virginia that meet the criteria of this program.
“The Civil War Trust and the historic preservation community are deeply grateful to Senator Kaine, not just for his long record of support for the protection of America’s hallowed ground, but for his vision in ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to visit the places where our nation was forged to learn their valuable lessons and enjoy their scenic beauty,” said Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer.
In addition to protecting the educational landmarks for local citizens, the grants program serves as a low-cost measure to enable growth in local and state revenues. In five states, including Virginia, Civil War battlegrounds and museums have generated $442 million for local communities and supported 5,150 local jobs. Each year, local and state governments gain $32.7 million from tourism and activity around the historical sites, which helps to ease the cost burden of government services while increasing property value for homes near Civil War sites.
As governor, Kaine worked with members of both parties, including Speaker Bill Howell who attended today’s event, to preserve more than 400,000 acres of open space across Virginia, including Civil War battlefields. The Commonwealth created the Virginia Historic Battlefield Preservation Fund in 2006 that leveraged public-private partnerships for battlefield preservation. In 2008, Virginia committed $5.2 million to the program, the largest contribution by a state government in history. Governor Bob McDonnell continues to fund this program.
The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act will protect the $10 million authorization that is set to expire in September 2013 and extend funding through 2018. In addition to Civil War sites, this bill would add Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites to program eligibility. The companion bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on April 2013 and was introduced by U.S. Rep.Rush Holt (NJ-12) and co-sponsored by Virginia U.S. Reps.Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Jim Moran (VA-08).
FACT SHEET: American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act
Background: America’s historic battlefields allow us to experience the epic battles that defined our nation. From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, preserving these American historic treasures helps to educate future generations about our rich cultural history and to commemorate the sacrifices made to secure our freedom.
Unfortunately, suburban sprawl and haphazardly-planned development are encroaching on many of these significant battlefields. Only about 20 percent of the land upon which the Civil War was fought is preserved — the rest is either unprotected or has been lost forever. Of the 825 nationally significant battlefields and associated sites from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, 107 have been lost, 245 are in fragmented or poor condition, and 222 are in danger of being destroyed within the next ten years.
· The American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act would reauthorize the American Battlefield Protection Program, which provides matching grants for buying land – at fair market value from willing sellers – to preserve as hallowed ground. This program is scheduled to expire at the end of September.
· The existing program is the result of a commission created by Congress that recommended an “emergency” matching grants program be established to protect high priority Civil War battlefields.
· In addition to Civil War sites, this bill would add Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites to program eligibility.
· The program was formally authorized in December 2002, when President Bush signed into law the “Civil War Battlefield Preservation Act.” The program was reauthorized in March 2009, when President Obama signed into law the “Omnibus Public Lands Act.”
· The program has received broad bipartisan support. The U.S. House of Representatives passed it on April 9, 2013. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) has cosponsored this bill with Sen. Kaine.
Battlefield Preservation Means Economic Development
In Virginia, Civil War visitors stay twice as long and spend double the money of the average tourist. Daily spending in Virginia for all travelers surveyed averaged $52, but Civil War travelers on average spent $80 per person per day.
In five states, including Virginia, 15.8 million visitors have gone to 15 National Park Service Civil War Battlefields and historic sites, spent $442 million in local communities, and supported 5,150 local jobs.
The Civil War Trust estimates that there are still 50,000 acres of unprotected battlefield land in Virginia that meet the criteria of this program. The Civil War Trust has preserved 122 Virginia battlefields out of 384 for the entire program – by far the most in one state.
Share
Contributors
