A Senate panel last week approved legislation by Sen. John Edwards to designate 25 Western North Carolina counties as a National Heritage Area.

“By moving forward with this legislation, Congress is acknowledging the unique history and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Sen. Edwards said. “I’m sure we will be able to get the bipartisan support necessary to give Western North Carolina the resources to preserve and promote its unique legacy.”

Approved by a bipartisan vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Sen. Edwards’ legislation would set aside as much as $10 million to preserve and develop the Blue Ridge Mountains as a historic and scenic destination.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area would include Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties.

The National Park Service administers 23 heritage areas across the country. The designation has helped many regions promote historic preservation, protect natural and cultural resources and revitalize sagging economies.