Legislation now Awaits President’s Signature
Washington, D.C. – Representative Heath Shuler applauded the final passage legislation
to allow for the expansion of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat
Rock, North Carolina. The Sandburg home boundary revision, which Rep. Shuler helped
pass the House in May 2007, was part of larger Senate public lands bill, S. 2739, the
Consolidated Natural Resources Act.
The Consolidated Natural Resources contains more than 60 public lands bills that had
previously passed the House individually. Rep. Shuler had originally introduced the
legislation to allow for the boundary revision of the Sandburg home, H.R. 1100, in
February 2007. H.R. 1100 passed the House in May of 2007.
“The Sandburg home is an important part of both our heritage and our economy in
Western North Carolina. By expanding the site and allowing the building of a new
visitor’s center we will ensure that the Sandburg Home continues to help drive our
economy,” said Rep. Shuler. “I am extremely pleased that this legislation has now passed
both chambers and will be going to the President for his signature into law.
In 2003 the National Park Service recommended the expansion of the historic site’s
boundary by up to 115 acres to allow construction of a visitor center and parking lot as
well as to protect the pastoral views from Sandburg’s estate. This recommendation was
developed through a 4-year planning process that involved extensive community input.
Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr cosponsored companion legislation to Rep.
Shuler’s bill in the Senate.
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Download: Rep. Shuler Applauds Passage of Carl Sandburg Home Expansion Bill
