To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Western Reserve Heritage Area.

Summary: Western Reserve Heritage Areas Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Midwest Region, to conduct a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Western Reserve Heritage Area in the Ohio counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geague, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Western Reserve Heritage Areas Study 
Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY REGARDING THE WESTERN RESERVE, 
              OHIO.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The area that encompasses the modern-day counties of 
        Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, 
        Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland in 
        Ohio with the rich history in what was once the Western 
        Reserve, has made a unique contribution to the cultural, 
        political and industrial development of the United States.
            (2) The Western Reserve is distinctive as the land settled 
        by the people of Connecticut after the Revolutionary War. The 
        Western Reserve holds a unique mark as the original wilderness 
        land of the West that many settlers migrated to in order to 
        begin life outside of the original 13 colonies.
            (3) The Western Reserve played a significant role in 
        providing land to the people of Connecticut whose property and 
        land was destroyed during the Revolution. These settlers were 
        descendants of the brave immigrants who came to the Americas in 
        the 17th century.
            (4) The Western Reserve offered a new destination for those 
        who moved west in search of land and prosperity. The 
        agricultural and industrial base that began in the Western 
        Reserve still lives strong in these prosperous and historical 
        counties.
            (5) The heritage of the Western Reserve remains transfixed 
        in the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, 
        Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, 
        Ottawa, and Ashland in Ohio. The people of these counties are 
        proud of their heritage as shown through the unwavering 
        attempts to preserve agricultural land and the industrial 
        foundation that has been embedded in this region since the 
        establishment of the Western Reserve. Throughout these 
        counties, historical sites, and markers preserve the unique 
        traditions and customs of its original heritage.
            (6) The counties that encompass the Western Reserve 
        continue to maintain a strong connection to its historic past 
        as seen through its preservation of its local heritage, 
        including historic homes, buildings, and centers of public 
        gatherings.
            (7) There is a need for assistance for the preservation and 
        promotion of the significance of the Western Reserve as the 
        natural, historic and cultural heritage of the counties of 
        Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, 
        Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa and Ashland in 
        Ohio.
            (8) The Department of the Interior is responsible for 
        protecting the Nation's cultural and historical resources. 
        There are significant examples of such resources within these 
        counties and what was once the Western Reserve to merit the 
        involvement of the Federal Government in the development of 
        programs and projects, in cooperation with the State of Ohio 
        and other local governmental entities, to adequately conserve, 
        protect, and interpret this heritage for future generations, 
        while providing opportunities for education and revitalization.
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the National 
        Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance 
        Program, Midwest Region, and in consultation with the State of 
        Ohio, the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, 
        Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, 
        Ottawa, and Ashland, and other appropriate organizations, shall 
        carry out a study regarding the suitability and feasibility of 
        establishing the Western Reserve Heritage Area in these 
        counties in Ohio.
            (2) Contents.--The study shall include analysis and 
        documentation regarding whether the Study Area--
                    (A) 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;
                    (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
                folklife that are a valuable part of the national 
                story;
                    (C) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve 
                natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features;
                    (D) provides outstanding recreational and 
                educational opportunities;
                    (E) contains resources important to the identified 
                theme or themes of the Study Area that retain a degree 
                of integrity capable of supporting interpretation;
                    (F) 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 for all participants, including the Federal 
                Government, and have demonstrated support for the 
                concept of a national heritage area;
                    (G) 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;
                    (H) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 
                by the public; and
                    (I) has potential or actual impact on private 
                property located within or abutting the Study Area.
    (c) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The Study Area shall be 
comprised of the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, 
Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga,

Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, and Ashland in Ohio.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 14, 2005.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.