To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area in west Houston, Texas.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY REGARDING BUFFALO BAYOU, TEXAS.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
        (1) The area beginning at Shepherd Drive in west Houston, 
    Texas, and extending to the Turning Basin, commonly referred to as 
    the ``Buffalo Bayou'', made a unique contribution to the cultural, 
    political, and industrial development of the United States.
        (2) The Buffalo Bayou is distinctive as the first spine of 
    modern industrial development in Texas and one of the first along 
    the Gulf of Mexico coast.
        (3) The Buffalo Bayou played a significant role in the struggle 
    for Texas independence.
        (4) The Buffalo Bayou developed a prosperous and productive 
    shipping industry that survives today.
        (5) The Buffalo Bayou led in the development of Texas' 
    petrochemical industry that made Houston the center of the early 
    oil boom in America.
        (6) The Buffalo Bayou developed a sophisticated shipping 
    system, leading to the formation of the modern day Houston Ship 
    Channel.
        (7) The Buffalo Bayou developed a significant industrial base, 
    and served as the focal point for the new city of Houston.
        (8) There is a longstanding commitment by the Buffalo Bayou 
    Partnership, Inc., to complete the Buffalo Bayou Trail along the 
    12-mile segment of the Buffalo Bayou.
        (9) There is a need for assistance for the preservation and 
    promotion of the significance of the Buffalo Bayou as a system for 
    transportation, industry, commerce, and immigration.
        (10) The Department of the Interior is responsible for 
    protecting the Nation's cultural and historical resources. There 
    are significant examples of such resources within the Buffalo Bayou 
    region to merit the involvement of the Federal Government in the 
    development of programs and projects, in cooperation with the 
    Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Inc., the State of Texas, and other 
    local and 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 shall, in consultation with the 
    State of Texas, the City of Houston, and other appropriate 
    organizations, carry out a study regarding the suitability and 
    feasibility of establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage 
    Area in Houston, Texas.
        (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; and
            (H) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
        public.
    (c) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The Study Area shall be 
comprised of sites in Houston, Texas, in an area roughly bounded by 
Shepherd Drive and extending to the Turning Basin, commonly referred to 
as the ``Buffalo Bayou''.
    (d) Submission of Study Results.--Not later than 3 years after 
funds are first made available for this section, 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 describing the results of the study.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.

Summary: Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the State of Texas, the City of Houston, and other appropriate organizations, to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Buffalo Bayou National Heritage Area in west Houston, Texas. Sets forth the requirements for such study, including analysis and documentation regarding whether the Study Area: (1) has resources that represent distinctive aspects of American heritage best managed though publicprivate partnerships. (2) has traditions and folklife reflective of valuable parts of the national story, (3) provides conservation, recreational, and educational opportunities, (4) contains resources supporting interpretation. (5) has a developed financial plan and a potential management entity. And (6) has a conceptual boundary supported by the public. Sets forth the boundaries of the Area. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees within three years of receiving funding for this study.