From the Buffalo News:
As strange as it seems, this world-famous tourist destination desperately seeks recognition – from the federal government, anyway.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., is drawing up legislation that would establish the Niagara Falls Heritage Area, a designation that would mean up to $1 million in federal money each year for the land near the falls.
Schumer said the bill will be ready to submit to both the Senate and the House within a month. The move recently won the support of the National Park Service.
The $1 million in federal money will become available after passage of the legislation, which is expected by the end of the year.
But there is more riding on this than $1 million a year, said Niagara Falls activist Paul A. Dyster, who has been pushing for the designation since 2000, when he was a member of the City Council.
“It’s not just about the money; it’s about the recognition,” Dyster said. “Niagara Falls is an international landmark, but thus far, the federal government – and specifically the National Park Service – have not been major partners in the protection and improvement of the area.”