Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Evaluation Findings Authors Prepared for Prepared by Debra Rog, Ph.D. United States National Park Service Westat Emanuel Robinson, Ph.D. Washington, D.C. 1600 Research Boulevard Daniela Barragan, M.S. Rockville, Maryland 20850-3129 Joanna Nelson (301) 251-1500 August 2015 Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Report ........................................................................................................................... 4 Key Evaluation Questions ....................................................................................................................... 4 Key Findings ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Structure of the Report ....................................................................................................................... 12 Section 1– Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................................................................13 1.1 National Heritage Areas ............................................................................................................... 13 1.2 Report Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 13 1.3 Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area ........................................................................................... 15 1.4 Evaluation Methodology .............................................................................................................. 16 1.14 .Methodology .................................................................................................................... 16 1.4.2 Site Introduction and Background Research .......................................................................... 17 1.4.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 17 1.4.4 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 18 1.4.5 Evaluation Limitations ....................................................................................................... 18 1.5 Roles ....................................................................................................................................... 19 1.5.1 External Evaluator .............................................................................................................. 19 1.5.2 National Park Service (NPS) ......................................................................................................... 19 1.5.3 Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area ........................................................................................... 19 Section 2 – Overview of the YCNHA................................................................................................................................................................ 20 2.1 Introduction to the YCNHA & the YCNHA Corporation . 20 2.2 Introduction to the YCNHA Corporation ....................................................................................... 21 2.2.1 Authorizing Legislation and YCNHA Vision and Mission ......................................................... 22 2.3 YCNHA’s Relationships with Partners/Stakeholders and NPS ............................................................ 23 2.3.1 Partners and Stakeholder Organizations Relationships ............................................................ 23 2.3.2 NHA Partnership with NPS ................................................................................................ 25 2.4 NHA Timeline ............................................................................................................................. 25 Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Evaluation Findings 2 Section 3 – NHA Fulfillment of the Authorizing Legislation and Management Plan ....................................... 26 3.1 Goals and Objectives of the NHA ................................................................................................. 26 3.2 NHA Activities and Impacts .......................................................................................................... 27 3.2.1 Capital Construction .......................................................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Conservation, Restoration, and Preservation ......................................................................... 32 3.2.3 Operation and Management ............................................................................................... 35 3.2.4 Marketing and Advertising ................................................................................................. 37 3.2.5 Technical Assistance .......................................................................................................... 38 3.2.6 Economic Development ..................................................................................................... 40 3.2.7 Event Management ........................................................................................................... 41 3.3 Summary .................................................................................................................................... 42 Section 4 – Public/Private Investments in YCNHA and their Impact .............................................................................. 43 4.1 Investments in NHA Activities ....................................................................................................... 43 4.2 Use of Financial Resources ............................................................................................................ 46 4.3 Impact of Investments ................................................................................................................. 50 Section 5 – NHA Sustainability .............................................................................................................................................................................51 5.1 Defining Sustainability .................................................................................................................. 51 5.2 Honoring the Legislative Mandate of the NHA ............................................................................... 51 5.3 YCNHA Corporation’s Management Capacity ................................................................................ 51 5.3.1 Governance, Leadership, and Oversight ............................................................................... 51 5.3.2. Staffing and Operations ...................................................................................................... 53 5.3.3 Strategic Planning and Adaptive Management ....................................................................... 53 5.3.4 Monitoring and Record Keeping .......................................................................................... 54 5.4 Partnerships ................................................................................................................................ 54 5.5 Financial Sustainability, the Importance of NPS Funds, and the Importance of NHA Designation ........... 55 5.5.1 YCNHA Corporation Need for Financial Resources ................................................................ 55 5.5.2 YCNHA Need for Financial Resources .................................................................................. 55 5.6 Sustainability Summary ................................................................................................................ 57 Appendix 1 – Evaluation Legislation ............................................................................................................................................................... 58 Appendix 2 – Authorizing Legislation ........................................................................................................................................................... 59 Appendix 3 – Evaluation Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 64 Appendix 4 – Evaluation Protocols ..................................................................................................................................................................71 Appendix 5 – Timeline of YCNHA Key Events ........................................................................................................................................ 95 Appendix 6 – YCNHA Board Members and Affiliations ............................................................................................................... 96 Appendix 7 – YCNHA Partners ..............................................................................................................................................................................97 Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Evaluation Findings 3 Executive Summary Purpose of the Report Key Evaluation Questions The purpose of this report is to