Cache La Poudre River Basin Heritage Study Act

Summary: Cache La Poudre River Basin Heritage Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare a study of alternatives for the Cache La Poudre River Basin in Colorado, including:  (1) an inventory and assessment of significant cultural, natural, recreational, and scenic resources throughout the Basin; (2) an evaluation of properties to determine potential eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; (3) the suitability and feasibility of designating the Basin as a National Heritage Area; and (4) the identification of preservation strategies for resources located within the Basin, and management alternatives and funding options for the implementation of such strategies. 
Authorizes the Secretary to undertake a demonstration project to evaluate the potential of using voluntary land exchanges within the Cache La Poudre River flood plain as a means to provide for the long-term preservation and management of the lands within the floodplain. 
Establishes the Cock La Poudre River Basin Heritage Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the preparation of the study. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Cache La Poudre River Basin Heritage 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) the Cache La Poudre River basin contains significant 
        historical, recreational, scenic, cultural, natural, economic, 
        and scientific resources; and
            (2) sites and structures within the Cache La Poudre River 
        Basin represent--
                    (A) the development and management of water 
                resources critical to the westward expansion of the 
                Nation; and
                    (B) the sociocultural evolution of a working river, 
                from aboriginal tribes through early exploration, 
                nineteenth century settlement, development of a water 
                dependent agricultural economy, through the ongoing 
                transition to present day urban development.
    (b) The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to identify and assess the management alternatives 
        encompassing the resources and themes of western water 
        development in the United States; and
            (2) to evaluate strategies for multiobjective uses and 
        protection of the Cache La Poudre floodplain through 
        development of a River Greenway Plan.

SEC. 3. CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN HERITAGE STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall prepare a study of alternatives 
for the Cache La Poudre River Basin in the State of Colorado. The study 
shall include, but not be limited to--
            (1) an inventory and assessment of significant cultural, 
        natural, recreational, and scenic resources throughout the 
        Cache La Poudre River Basin, using existing information where 
        available;
            (2) an evaluation of properties to determine potential 
        eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic 
        Places;
            (3) the suitability and feasibility of designating the 
        Cache La Poudre River Basin as a National Heritage Area;
            (4) the identification of themes, resources, and events 
        which illustrate how settlement of the West was dependent upon 
        and dictated by the development and management of water;
            (5) the development of a Greenway Plan for the floodplain 
        of the Cache La Poudre River that addresses--
                    (A) appropriate and compatible recreational 
                opportunities;
                    (B) protection of fish and wildlife habitat;
                    (C) maintenance or improvement of water quality;
                    (D) protection of wetlands;
                    (E) maintenance of natural hydrological processes;
                    (F) maintenance of riparian vegetation; and
                    (G) flood protection through resource protection 
                and development;
            (6) an evaluation of the demonstration project undertaken 
        by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d), including 
        recommendations for the disposition of any lands acquired 
        pursuant to such project;
            (7) the identification of interpretive opportunities and 
        methods;
            (8) the identification of preservation strategies for 
        resources located with the Cache La Poudre River Basin; and
            (9) management alternatives and funding options for the 
        implementation of such preservation strategies.
    (b) Consultation.--The study referred to in subsection (a) shall be 
prepared in consultation with the Cache La Poudre River Basin Heritage 
Advisory Commission established pursuant to section 4, affected units 
of local governments, and other interested public and private entities.
    (c) Report to Congress.--The study shall be completed no later than 
two years after the date funds are made available for the purposes of 
this section. Upon completion, the Secretary shall transmit such report 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States 
Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United 
States House of Representatives.
    (d) Demonstration Project.--(1) In furtherance of the purposes of 
this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Cache La Poudre River 
Heritage Commission established by section 4, is authorized to 
undertake a demonstration project to evaluate the potential of using 
voluntary land exchanges within the Cache La Poudre River floodplain 
(hereinafter referred to as the ``floodplain'') as a means to provide 
for the long-term preservation and management of the lands within the 
floodplain.
    (2) During the period of the study, the Secretary or the head of a 
Federal agency is authorized to acquire lands within the floodplain in 
Larimer and Weld Counties in the State of Colorado only through 
voluntary land exchanges: Provided, That such land exchanges shall be 
on an equal value basis, and shall be conducted in accordance with 
applicable law.
    (3) Lands acquired pursuant to this subsection shall be managed in 
a manner that does not preclude the implementation of any management 
alternative identified in the study of alternatives or the Greenway 
Plan referred to in subsection (a).
    (4) Where appropriate, the Secretary shall seek to enter into 
memoranda of agreement with other Federal agencies to manage land 
administered by such agencies within the floodplain, consistent with 
the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 4. CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER BASIN HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Cache La Poudre River 
Basin Heritage Advisory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the 
``Commission''), to advise the Secretary on the preparation of the 
study referred to in section 3(a).
    (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 15 members 
appointed by the Secretary as follows--
            (1) the Director of the National Park Service, or the 
        Director's designee, ex officio;
            (2) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief 
        of the Forest Service, or the Chief's designee, ex officio;
            (3) nine members from recommendations submitted by the 
        Governor of the State of Colorado, including one member each to 
        represent--
                    (A) the State;
                    (B) Colorado State University;
                    (C) the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy 
                District;
                    (D) the city of Fort Collins;
                    (E) Larimer County;
                    (F) the city of Greeley; and
                    (G) Weld County;
        and two members to represent the general public, who reside in 
        the study area.
    (c) Chairperson.--The members of the Commission shall elect a 
chairperson from among its members.
    (d) Vacancies.--Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the 
same manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (e) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson.
    (f) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall receive no 
compensation on account of their service on the Commission. While away 
from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of 
services for the Commission, members shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as 
persons employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed 
expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
    (g) Waiver.--The provisions of section 14(b) of the Act of October 
6, 1972 (86 Stat. 776), are hereby waived with respect to this 
Commission.
    (h) Annual Reports.--The Commission shall publish and submit to the 
Secretary and the Governor of the State of Colorado an annual report 
concerning the Commission's activities.
    (i) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate upon the 
completion of the study referred to in section 3.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.