[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1627 Referred in House (RFH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1627
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 17, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special
resources study to evaluate resources along the coastal region of the
State of Delaware and to determine the suitability and feasibility of
establishing a unit of the National Park System in Delaware.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Delaware National Coastal Special
Resources Study Act''.
SEC. 2. STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this
Act as the ``Secretary'') shall conduct a special resources study of
the national significance, suitability, and feasibility of including
sites in the coastal region of the State of Delaware in the National
Park System.
(b) Inclusion of Sites in the National Park System.--The study
under subsection (a) shall include an analysis and any recommendations
of the Secretary concerning the suitability and feasibility of
designating 1 or more of the sites along the Delaware coast, including
Fort Christina, as a unit of the National Park System that relates to
the themes described in section 3.
(c) Study Guidelines.--In conducting the study authorized under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall use the criteria for the study of
areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System contained in
section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5).
(d) Consultation.--In preparing and conducting the study under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with--
(1) the State of Delaware;
(2) the coastal region communities; and
(3) the general public.
SEC. 3. THEMES.
The study authorized under section 2 shall evaluate sites along the
coastal region of the State of Delaware that relate to--
(1) the history of indigenous peoples, which would explore
the history of Native American tribes of Delaware, such as the
Nanticoke and Lenni Lenape;
(2) the colonization and establishment of the frontier,
which would chronicle the first European settlers in the
Delaware Valley who built fortifications for the protection of
settlers, such as Fort Christina;
(3) the founding of a nation, which would document the
contributions of Delaware to the development of our
constitutional republic;
(4) industrial development, which would investigate the
exploitation of water power in Delaware with the mill
development on the Brandywine River;
(5) transportation, which would explore how water served as
the main transportation link, connecting Colonial Delaware with
England, Europe, and other colonies;
(6) coastal defense, which would document the collection of
fortifications spaced along the river and bay from Fort
Delaware on Pea Patch Island to Fort Miles near Lewes;
(7) the last stop to freedom, which would detail the role
Delaware has played in the history of the Underground Railroad
network; and
(8) the coastal environment, which would examine natural
resources of Delaware that provide resource-based recreational
opportunities such as crabbing, fishing, swimming, and boating.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after funds are made available to carry out
this Act under section 5, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing the
findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study conducted under
section 2.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act.
Passed the Senate November 16, 2005.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.