In November 2006, the communities along the interconnected waterways of Lake Champlain, Lake George, the Champlain Canal and the upper reaches of the Hudson River were designated as a national heritage area by the United States Congress. Named the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP), this national heritage area was established to recognize the importance of the historical, cultural, and recreational resources of the Champlain Valley and to assist efforts to preserve, protect, and interpret those resources. The purpose of the CVNHP also is to enhance the quality of the tourism economy and to encourage working partnerships among state, provincial, and local governments and non-profit organizations in New York, Quebec, and Vermont. The CVNHP is authorized to operate for 15 years and can receive up to $10 million in National Park Service funding to accomplish its goals.
Managed by the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), the CVNHP is a 9,000-square-mile region made up of 11 counties in New York and Vermont. The LCBP Steering Committee relies on guidance and input from several advisory committees, including the Heritage Area Partnership Advisory Committee (HAPAC), which focuses on heritage and recreation issues and the management of the CVNHP. Due to the CVNHP’s immense geographic area, diverse economies, and varying needs, the HAPAC relies on county-based groups to provide input regarding developing programs and budget priorities for the CVNHP. The Historic Hudson-Hoosic Partnership fulfills that role for Washington and Saratoga counties of New York.
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP
54 West Shore Road
Grand Isle, VT 05458
802-372-3213