The National Heritage Area Congressional Caucus is drafting legislation to help the country’s 49 heritage areas. Three of those areas are in Georgia.

Last year congress slashed funding for older areas like the Augusta Canal in order to free up money for newer ones like Georgia’s Arabia Mountain and Gullah Geechee Corridor.

Chris Abbott with the National Parks Service says as more sites get designated funding continues to shrink.

He says he hopes members of the caucus work together to make sure all heritage areas get the federal dollars they need.

"There hasn’t been that cohesive effort in congress before so hopefully this group can play that role," said Abbott.

Officials say the caucus will also work on making heritage areas a permanent part of the National Park Service.

Tags: Augusta Canal, National Heritage Areas, Gullah Geechee Corridor, Arabia Maountain, Chris Abbott, National Park Services, National Heritage Area Congressional Caucus