November/December 2006
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features_global.html
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U.S. World Heritage Sites—A Rare Chance
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Now is the only time to propose new U.S. World Heritage sites for the next decade. Deadline: April 1, 2007.
What are World Heritage sites?
The United States was the first country to ratify the international agreement called the World Heritage Convention. The Convention recognizes and encourages protection of sites around the world with "universal" cultural or natural heritage value. Countries apply to have a site inscribed on the World Heritage List. An international World Heritage Committee approves or rejects the proposals, advised by international councils of experts. UNESCO administers the overall program, monitoring the sites, but cannot select or manage them.
Why is it important that sites be listed?
A listing elevates local and international awareness about the site's value, provides incentives for communities to protect and invest in their preservation, and increases potentially beneficial tourism to the site. In any country, foreign visitors customarily put more money into the local economy than domestic tourists. (Tourism, however, should be managed so as to protect and maintain the site.)
Does a World Heritage listing mean giving up national sovereignty?
This is a total myth. Many countries eagerly seek World Heritage inscriptions, for pride and the tourism boost they are assumed to generate. Not the U.S., due in large part to the actively promoted misinformation that a World Heritage listing means loss of national sovereignty—that the U.N. can take over the site. In fact, all UNESCO can do is file comments. World Heritage Committee members can list a site as "in danger," but even then, the country usually has to agree. The Committee may even delist a site, but has never done so. Notably, World Heritage could be in part labeled "made in U.S.A." Americans Joseph Fisher and Russell Train first proposed combining cultural with natural sites into a single global program of recognition.
Why are most U.S. sites national parks? Why doesn't the U.S. have World Heritage historic cities like Bath, England, or Quebec City, Canada?
In the U.S., a 1980 amendment to the Preservation Act requires written consent of all landowners involved in a World Heritage nomination. A nomination for the historic center of Cape May, New Jersey, for example, must have agreement of each person who owns property there. One individual can thus veto the entire effort, making most such nominations unrealistic under current law. The recent Preserve America summit in New Orleans has recommended amending that law.
How to Propose a New U.S. World Heritage Site
When are nominations accepted?
Under current U.S. procedures, nominations will be accepted for a new "Tentative List" of sites to be proposed to the World Heritage Committee for listing 2009-2019. No more than two sites per country per year can make the list. The opportunity to nominate closes on April 1, 2007. Sites included on the only previous Tentative List (from 1982) must be resubmitted.
Who can nominate a site?
Federal department and bureau heads in charge of federally designated sites (such as national parks, historic landmarks, wildlife refuges, etc.) can nominate sites, as can site administrators and private property owners. Members of the public who want to nominate a public site should contact administrators and department and bureau chiefs. Strong public support for nomination of a federal site is needed for an administrator to apply.
Which sites are eligible?
Properties designated as "nationally significant" by acts of Congress or by presidential proclamations are eligible (such as national historic landmarks, national monuments, and national natural landmarks.) Additionally, sites must be unique in a global context.
Where can I find an application and ask questions?
Please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of International Affairs.
Related Links:
UNESCO World Heritage
Information on Tentative Lists
The George Wright Society for a detailed description of the process
Databases of sites previously on the Tentative List
Information on the U.S. Tentative List
Eligibility requirements for sites in the United States: U.S. World Heritage Program Regulation 36 CFR 73
World Heritage Official Criteria
The National Park Service Office of International Affairs
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