Katko effort to advance national park designation for Fort Ontario gains support in House

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) said on Friday that a measure that he introduced to secure a national park designation for Fort Ontario has gained support in the House of Representatives.

Local officials, community members, and representatives of Fort Ontario and Save Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter joined Katko on Friday in Oswego, New York, as he provided an update on his legislative efforts.

The House Natural Resources Committee has unanimously approved legislation that Katko introduced to advance national park designation for Fort Ontario, and the measure will soon advance to the House floor, Katko said.

“There is no question that this historic site deserves to be preserved and protected as a national landmark,” Katko said. “The legislation that I’ve introduced is continuing to gain support in the House, and today, I’m happy to announce that the National Park Service has agreed to complete a reconnaissance survey of Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum. The survey, a foundational study, begins the process of assessing the significance and suitability of this historic site and is another positive step towards establishing Safe Haven and Fort Ontario as a National Park.”

Under Katko’s bill, a special resource study would be commissioned to evaluate the site’s national significance and determine the suitability of it being designated a park of the national parks system.

“I am thrilled to see Congressman Katko’s legislation to recognize Fort Ontario and Safe Haven a National Park gain momentum both in the House of Representatives and with the National Park Service,” Oswego County Clerk Mike Backus said. “Our entire community looks forward to seeing this historic local treasure recognized nationally.”