I 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 222 

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability 

and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area 

in Virginia, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 6, 2009 

Mr. WITTMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Natural Resources 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study 

of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia, and for 

other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. STUDY AND REPORT OF PROPOSED NORTH4 ERN NECK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. 

5 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 

6 ‘‘Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act’’. 

7 (b) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter 

8 referred to as ‘‘the Secretary’’), in consultation with apVerDate Nov 24 2008 22:52 Jan 10, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H222.IH H222

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1 propriate State historic preservation officers, State histor2 ical societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall 

3 conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of des4 ignating the study area as the Northern Neck

5 National Heritage Area in the Commonwealth of Vir6 ginia. 

7 (c) CRITERIA.—In conducting the study, the Sec8 retary shall apply the following criteria to determine the 

9 suitability and feasibility of designating the study area 

10 as a National Heritage Area: 

11 (1) The area— 

12 (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, 

13 cultural, educational, scenic, or recreational re14 sources that together are nationally important 

15 to the heritage of the United States; 

16 (B) represents distinctive aspects of the

17 heritage of the United States worthy of rec18 ognition, conservation, interpretation, and con19 tinuing use; 

20 (C) is best managed as such an assemblage 

21 through partnerships among public and private 

22 entities at the local or regional level; 

23 (D) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, 

24 and folklife that are a valuable part of the

25 heritage of the United States; 


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1 (E) provides outstanding opportunities to 

2 conserve natural, historical, cultural, or scenic 

3 features; 

4 (F) provides outstanding recreational or 

5 educational opportunities; and 

6 (G) has resources and traditional uses that 

7 have national importance. 

8 (2) Residents, business interests, nonprofit or9 ganizations, and governments (including relevant 

10 Federal land management agencies) within the pro11 posed area are involved in the planning and have 

12 demonstrated significant support through letters and 

13 other means for National Heritage

14 Areadesignation and management. 

15 (3) The local coordinating entity responsible for 

16 preparing and implementing the management plan is 

17 identified. 

18 (4) The proposed local coordinating entity and 

19 units of government supporting the designation have 

20 documented their commitment to work in partner21 ship to protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, 

22 and develop resources within the National Herit23 age Area. 

24 (5) The proposed local coordinating entity has 

25 developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines 


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1 the roles of all participants (including the Federal 

2 Government) in the management of the National

3 Heritage Area. 

4 (6) The proposal is consistent with continued 

5 economic activity within the area. 

6 (7) A conceptual boundary map has been devel7 oped and is supported by the public and partici8 pating Federal agencies. 

9 (d) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the 

10 Secretary shall consult with the managers of any Federal 

11 land within the proposed National Heritage Area and 

12 secure the concurrence of the managers with the findings 

13 of the study before making a determination for des14 ignation. 

15 (e) BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.—The

16 study area referred to in this section shall be comprised 

17 of the following: 

18 (1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac 

19 and the Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Vir20 ginia. 

21 (2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, 

22 King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia. 

23 (3) Other areas that have heritage aspects 

24 that are similar to those aspects that are in the 


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1 areas described in paragraphs (1) and (2) and which 

2 are adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas. 

3 (f) REPORT.—The Secretary shall— 

4 (1) review, comment on, and determine if the

5 study meets the criteria specified in this section for 

6 designation as a National Heritage Area; 

7 (2) consult with the Governor of the Common8 wealth of Virginia; and 

9 (3) not later than 3 fiscal years after the date 

10 on which funds are first made available for this sec11 tion, submit to the Committee on Natural Resources 

12 of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

13 on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 

14 report on the findings, conclusions and recommenda15 tions of the study, including— 

16 (A) any comments received from the Gov17 ernor of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and 

18 (B) a finding as to whether the proposed

19 National Heritage Area meets the criteria 

20 for designation. 

21 (g) DISAPPROVAL.—If the Secretary determines that 

22 the proposed National Heritage Area does not meet 

23 the criteria for designation, the Secretary shall include 


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1 within the study submitted under subsection (f)(3) a 

2 description of the reasons for the determination. 

Æ 


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