Description
The Four Corners Heritage Council is a case study of an MOA which establishes a multi-state regional heritage tourism council. It is a partnership and coordinating body consisting of the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, the Four Corners Heritage Council was established by the governors of these four states in 1991. It is made up of three representatives from each state which are appointed by the governor. One representative is local, one representative Native American, and one representative at large. In addition, it includes a representative of the BLM, Forest Service, and National Park Service, and the Navajo Nation. It was formed to develop a council which could coordinate beyond the boundaries of the states, counties, and local governments. Its mission statement is to promote partnerships in Heritage Resource Tourism, Education, Interpretation, and Preservation.

How to Use This Tool
This is an example of organizing a heritage area which involves multiple jurisdictions. It provides a framework for coordination and communication and adding value to proposed projects. It provides a method to link projects across state, county, and community boundaries. It provides the foundations for setting up a heritage area under the Federal Heritage Area Program.

Related Tool: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Partnership Agreement

 

Limitations
Because the council brings together a number of entities, it is often difficult to find products or projects that meet the interests of all the various parties. At the same time, when projects are found, such as scenic highways which link attractions and marketing campaigns which serve all partners, it is a powerful organizational structure.

Examples

• The Four Corners Heritage Area Brochure is the best example of a product produced by the Four Corners Heritage Council. It not only links all of the historical and archeological sites, it does this through designating each of the roads in all four states as scenic byways, thus allowing the area to receive special designation under the American Highways program and also makes it possible to receive Heritage Area designation.
• Cooperative Agreement creating the Four Corners Heritage Council to manage and promote cultural resources in the four corners area of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado.
• The Four Corners Heritage Council's Heritage Site Steward Conference.

Contact
Cleal Bradford, Executive Director
Four Corners Heritage Council
707 West 500 South 58-11
Blanding, Utah 84511
Phone: (435) 678-4035
Fax: (435) 678-3541

 

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Development & Management
Partnerships & Networks