Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 567 Introduced in House (IH)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 567

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the
suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National
Heritage Area in Virginia, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 5, 2003

Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the
suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National
Heritage Area in Virginia, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. NORTHERN NECK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY AND REPORT.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Neck
National Heritage Area Study Act''.
(b) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with
appropriate State historic preservation officers, States historical
societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a study
regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area
described in subsection (c) as the Northern Neck National Heritage
Area. The study shall include analysis, documentation, and
determination regarding whether the study area--
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of
American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation,
interpretation, and continuing use, and are best managed
through partnerships among public and private entities and by
combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and
active communities;
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife
that are a valuable part of the national story;
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,
historic, cultural, or scenic features;
(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational
opportunities;
(5) contains resources important to the identified theme or
themes of the study area that retain a degree of integrity
capable of supporting interpretation;
(6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit
organizations, and local and State governments that are
involved in the planning, have developed a conceptual financial
plan that outlines the roles of all participants (including the
Federal Government), and have demonstrated support for the
concept of a national heritage area;
(7) has a potential management entity to work in
partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit
organizations, and local and State governments to develop a
national heritage area consistent with continued local and
State economic activity; and
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the
public.
(c) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The study area referred to in
subsection (b) shall be comprised of the following:
(1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac and the
Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Virginia.
(2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, King George,
and Lancaster Counties, Virginia.
(3) Other areas that have heritage aspects that are similar
to those aspects that are in the areas described in paragraphs
(1) and (2) and which are adjacent to or in the vicinity of
those areas.
(d) Report.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which
funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary of the
Interior shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations
of the study.
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