; and represent the diversity of our national character. (2) In these areas, the interaction of natural processes, geography, history, cultural traditions, and economic and social forces form distinctive landscapes that should be recognized, conserved, enhanced, and interpreted to improve the quality of life in the regions and to provide opportunities for public appreciation, education, enjoyment, and economic sustainability. (3) Local initiatives based on community and regional visions, involving public/private partnerships, are critical to conserving, enhancing, and interpreting natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources related to our American heritage. These initiatives should be encouraged and supported by the Federal Government with the concurrence of the relevant Federal land management agencies and tribal governments by providing financial and technical assistance. (4) Partnerships among Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and citizens provide the most viable framework to recognize, conserve, enhance, and interpret the resources of places that have made important contributions to the national story. (5) Communities and regions need assistance to set resource stewardship and interpretive goals, and to implement strategies for resource conservation and renewed economic viability in these areas. (6) A unified national process as well as certain standards for designation of National Heritage Areas need to be established to provide a consistent framework. The process should include a system for approval of heritage area management plans. (7) National Heritage Areas located near or encompassing units of the National Park System provide an additional basis for public enjoyment of parks and park-related resources, and it is appropriate for these parks to participate in, assist with, and benefit from local heritage initiatives that conserve and interpret resources over a larger area beyond the park’s boundaries. (8) It is in the national interest, and