[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 1021 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 669
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1021
[Report No. 110-317]
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 20, 2007
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
April 10, 2008
Reported by Mr. Bingaman, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources
study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of
the National Park System, 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. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taunton, Massachusetts Special
Resources Study Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The city of Taunton, Massachusetts, is home to 9
distinct historic districts, with more than 600 properties on
the National Register of Historic Places. Included among these
districts are the Church Green Historic District, the
Courthouse Historic District, the Taunton Green Historic
District, and the Reed and Barton Historic District.
(2) All of these districts include buildings and building
facades of great historical, cultural, and architectural value.
(3) Taunton Green is the site where the Sons of Liberty
first raised the Liberty and Union Flag in 1774, an event that
helped to spark a popular movement, culminating in the American
Revolution, and Taunton citizens have been among the first to
volunteer for America's subsequent wars.
(4) Robert Treat Paine, a citizen of Taunton, and the first
Attorney General of Massachusetts, was a signer of the
Declaration of Independence.
(5) Taunton was a leading community in the Industrial
Revolution, and its industrial area has been the site of many
innovations in such industries as silver manufacture, paper
manufacture, and ship building.
(6) The landscaping of the Courthouse Green was designed by
Frederick Law Olmsted, who also left landscaping ideas and
plans for other areas in the city which have great value and
interest as historical archives and objects of future study.
(7) Main Street, which connects many of the historic
districts, is home to the Taunton City Hall and the Leonard
Block building, 2 outstanding examples of early 19th Century
American architecture, as well as many other historically and
architecturally significant structures.
(8) The city and people of Taunton have preserved many
artifacts, gravesites, and important documents dating back to
1638 when Taunton was founded.
(9) Taunton was and continues to be an important
destination for immigrants from Europe and other parts of the
world who have helped to give Southeastern Massachusetts its
unique ethnic character.
SEC. 3. STUDY.
The Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate State historic
preservation officers, State historical societies, the city of Taunton,
and other appropriate organizations, shall conduct a special resources
study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of
the National Park System. The study shall be conducted and completed in
accordance with section 8(c) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5(c))
and shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations regarding
whether the historic areas in Taunton--
(1) can be managed, curated, interpreted, restored,
preserved, and presented as an organic whole under management
by the National Park Service or under an alternative management
structure;
(2) have an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of
American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation,
interpretation, and continuing use;
(3) reflect traditions, customs, beliefs, and historical
events that are valuable parts of the national story;
(4) provide outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,
historic, cultural, architectural, or scenic features;
(5) provide outstanding recreational and educational
opportunities; and
(6) can be managed by the National Park Service in
partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit
organizations, and State and local governments to develop a
unit of the National Park System consistent with State and
local economic activity.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds are
first made available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Natural 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 required under
section 3.
SEC. 5. PRIVATE PROPERTY.
The recommendations in the report submitted pursuant to section 4
shall include discussion and consideration of the concerns expressed by
private landowners with respect to designating certain structures
referred to in this Act as a unit of the National Park System.
Calendar No. 669
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1021
[Report No. 110-317]
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources
study regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of
the National Park System, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
April 10, 2008
Reported without amendment