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[Senate Report 115-227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                     Calendar No. 375
115th Congress    }                                      {     Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session       }                                      {    115-227

======================================================================

 
             FINGER LAKES NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT

                                _______
                                

                 April 11, 2018.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Ms. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 1602]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 1602) to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and 
feasibility of designating certain land as the Finger Lakes 
National Heritage Area, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without 
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.

                                PURPOSE

    The purpose of S. 1602 is to authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior (Secretary) to conduct a study to assess the 
suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the 
Finger Lakes National Heritage Area (NHA).

                          BACKGROUND AND NEED

    The Finger Lakes region includes approximately 9,000 square 
miles of northern New York State well known for its natural 
beauty and access to outdoor activities.
    There are a number of state parks in the Finger Lakes 
region, including Watkins Glen State Park. There are also a 
number of waterfalls and gorges in the area. The Erie Canal 
runs along the northern end of the Finger Lakes, featuring 
parks and boat launches. The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge is a 
resting, feeding, and nesting place for a number of migratory 
birds and gives visitors the chance to observe wildlife in its 
unaltered state. Hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities 
are popular.
    The Finger Lakes region is also known for its award winning 
wines. The area is particularly well known for Rieslings, and 
draws visitors from around the world. In addition, craft 
breweries, cideries, and distilleries have been opening up 
through the Finger Lakes. A number of wine and beer trails are 
available across the region for visitors.
    The legislation, if enacted, would authorize a study to 
determine if the region is appropriate for designation as a 
NHA.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    S. 1602 was introduced by Senator Gillibrand on July 20, 
2017. The Senate Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing 
on S. 1602 on February 14, 2018. Similar language is also 
included in section 7129 of S. 1460, the Energy and Natural 
Resources Act of 2017, which is on the Senate Calendar (Cal. 
162).
    In the 114th Congress, Senator Gillibrand introduced 
similar legislation, S. 1824, on July, 21, 2015. The 
Subcommittee on National Parks held a hearing on S. 1824 on 
June 15, 2016.
    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met in open 
business session on March 8, 2018, and ordered S. 1602 
favorably reported.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in 
open business session on March 8, 2018, by a majority voice 
vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 
1602.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 contains the short title.

Section 2. Definitions

    Section 2 contains key definitions.

Section 3. Study

    Section 3(a) directs the Secretary, in consultation with 
State and local historic preservation officers, State and local 
historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and 
other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, to 
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the study area as a NHA, to be known as the 
``Finger Lakes National Heritage Area.''
    Subsection (b) sets forth the study's requirements, 
including analysis, documentation, and determinations on 
whether the study area (1) has natural, historic, and cultural 
resources that represent distinctive aspects of the United 
States; are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
interpretation, and continuing use; and would be best managed 
through partnerships and by linking diverse and active 
communities; (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
folklife that are a valuable part of the United States' story; 
(3) provides outstanding conservation, recreation and 
educational opportunities; (4) contains important thematic 
resources that retain some interpretive integrity; (5) includes 
residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and 
State and local governments that are involved in the Heritage 
Area planning, have developed a conceptual financial plan, and 
have demonstrated support for the Heritage Area designation; 
(6) have a potential management entity to work in partnership 
with the individuals and entities involved in the Heritage Area 
development; and (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is 
supported by the public.

Section 4. Report

    Section 4 directs the Secretary to submit to the House 
Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources a report that describes the 
study's findings and any conclusions and recommendations no 
later than three years after the date on which funds are first 
made available to carry out this Act.

                   COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

    The following estimate of the costs of this measure has 
been provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
    S. 1602 would direct the National Park Service to study the 
suitability and feasibility of designating the Finger Lakes 
region of New York State as a national heritage area.
    Based on the costs of similar studies, CBO estimates that 
implementing S. 1602 would cost less than $500,000; such 
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    Enacting S. 1602 would not affect direct spending or 
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    CBO estimates that enacting S. 1602 would not increase net 
direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
    S. 1602 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Janani 
Shankaran. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                      REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 1602. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals 
and businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 1602, as ordered reported.

                   CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

    S. 1602, as ordered reported, does not contain any 
congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, 
or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate.

                        EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

    The testimony provided by the Department of the Interior at 
the February 14, 2018, hearing on S. 1602 follows:

Statement of P. Daniel Smith, Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority 
    of the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the 
 Interior, Before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee 
 on National Parks, Concerning S. 1602, To Authorize the Secretary of 
     the Interior To Conduct a Study To Assess the Suitability and 
 Feasibility of Designating Certain Land as the Finger Lakes National 
                 Heritage Area, and for Other Purposes

    The Department recognizes that the Finger Lakes region 
possesses the kind of natural and cultural characteristics that 
would make it an appropriate area to study for its potential as 
a national heritage area. However, in order to focus resources 
on reducing the National Park Service's $11.6 billion deferred 
maintenance backlog and addressing other critical national park 
needs, funding for national heritage areas is not a priority in 
the Administration's FY 2018 or FY 2019 budget. In addition, 
currently, the National Park Service is conducting 22 
previously authorized studies to determine if areas have 
potential for inclusion in the National Park System as new 
units, national heritage areas, national trails, or wild and 
scenic rivers. Under these circumstances, we believe it would 
be unwise to authorize the study of additional national 
heritage areas at this time.
    S. 1602 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of 
designating an area in the State of New York as the Finger 
Lakes National Heritage Area. The study area would include the 
counties of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, 
Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, 
Wayne, and Yates.
    State parks and private organizations within the study area 
provide public recreational and educational opportunities for 
similar resources not recognized through federal programs. 
Opportunities for the sharing of cultural heritage and folkways 
are available throughout the year through a variety of 
established organizations and the Federally recognized tribes 
within the region.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill as ordered 
reported.

                                  [all]
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