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Help Make the St. Johns 2n �merrccn �'errt�ye Quer Clinton initiative cites eco- nomic and cultural value The St. Johns River is a great Florida waterway central to the quality of life in communities throughout its watershed. Its preservation secures our economic and cultural foundations. President Clinton's American Heritage River initiative seeks to secure those foundations in river communi- ties across America. The President's objective in naming 10 American Heritage Rivers is to enhance our citizens' enjoyment of the historic, cultural, recreational, economic and environmental value of our rivers and to protect the health of our communities. Heritage River Designation benefits local communities President Clinton is expected to announce this fall which among America's rivers are to be designated American Heritage Rivers. In the meantime, the Clinton Cabinet has been directed to refocus programs, grants and technical assistance to provide special. support to American Heritage Rivers. Those communities served by an American Heritage River may enjoy preferential treat- ment in securing federal dollars for econom- ic development, historic preservation, environmental protection and restoration. Federal permitting programs will be streamlined to promote local "visions" of cultural, economic and environmental projects along the American Heritage Rivers. Local efforts will be enhanced by a national "talent bank" of expertise to enhance the communities' work. Furthermore, American Heritage River communities will have complete access to the national database of work and academic study to help guide local decisions. Heritage Rivers reflect local visions For the St. Johns River to qualify as one of President Clinton's American Heritage Rivers, communities along the river must come together, develop and present a collective "vision" of the value of their river. That vision can include preservation and maintenance of the communities' cultural heritage, economic development and environmental well-being. To develop the community -wide vision for the St. Johns River, meetings in communities along the river's route in June 1997 will bring together local business and governmental leaders, local historians, cultural, environmental and recreational interests. Each meeting will produce a vision of how the river helps their commu- nity prosper economically, culturally and recreationally while maintaining its PmArnnmontnl ni,ntitioc St. Johns River Water Management District • P.O. Box 1429 • Palatka, FL 32178-1429 Phone: 904-329-4500 ON MOTION by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED BY Commissioner Macht, the Board unanimously approved supporting the effort to have the St. Johns River declared an American Heritage River by the U.S. Government, to be done by means of a letter to the St. Johns River Water Management District 32 JUNE 2491997 FAUE 835 519197