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.

Summary: Taunton, Massachusetts Special Resources Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study and report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to specified congressional committees regarding the suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System (NPS).

Requires recommendations in the report to discuss and consider the concerns expressed by private landowners with respect to designating the structures referred to in this Act as a NPS unit.

Authorizes appropriations.

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 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 discuss and consider the concerns expressed by private landowners 
with respect to designating the certain structures referred to in this 
Act as a unit of the National Park System.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 4, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.