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September 29, 2006

U.S. Senate extends life of Blackstone River program

A bill to extend the budgetary life of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for five more years was approved by the U.S. Senate today and will now go to the president for his signature.

Had the legislation not passed, the 24-town, two-state corridor program would have ended this year, 20 years after its creation. The corridor’s reauthorization is part of a larger package of programs for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The House had passed its version of the reauthorization in July.

U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, whose father helped pass the legislation that created the corridor, had made its reauthorization a personal mission.

“For nearly 20 years, the Blackstone Valley Corridor Commission has worked with the National Park Service to clean up, revitalize and preserve this historic land and river,’’ Chafee said. “Today marks another historic day for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor, as it will continue to be a thriving source of tourism and historical education.’’

He said the reauthorization would also mean greater federal support for the completion of the Blackstone Bikeway, as well as cleanup efforts along the Blackstone River and protection of its watershed.

-- Journal staff writer John Hill

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 5:25 PM | Permalink

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