Katko Legislation To Advance Fort Ontario Signed Into Law

OSWEGO, NY — Yesterday evening (October 9), bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. John Katko, the Fort Ontario Study Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

“Since coming to Congress in 2015, putting Fort Ontario on the path to becoming a National Park has been among my top priorities. Fort Ontario and Safe Haven National Refugee Shelter are important sites both in our regional history as well as the history of our country,”said Katko. “I could not be more enthused that this bill is now law and our treasured landmark is on its way to being nationally recognized.”

The Fort Ontario Study Act advances Fort Ontario and Safe Haven National Refugee Shelter in Oswego in the process to become a National Park.

It commissions a special resource study of Fort Ontario and Safe Haven in Oswego County to evaluate the site’s national significance and determine the suitability of its designation as a part of the National Park system.

This study is a prerequisite for receiving National Park designation.

The legislation passed the House was the first bill that Rep. Katko reintroduced during the 115th Congress, and it passed the House in January 2017.

Last month, Rep. Katko celebrated passage of the bill by both houses of Congress at Safe Haven with local stakeholders and elected officials.

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