S. 1227

One Hundred Seventh Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,

the twenty-third day of January, two thousand and two

An Act

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

and feasibility of establishing the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in the

State of New York, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Niagara Falls National Heritage

Area Study Act’’.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary

of the Interior.

(2) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ means lands in

Niagara County, New York, along and in the vicinity of the

Niagara River.

SEC. 3. NIAGARA FALLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of the

suitability and feasibility of establishing a heritage area in the

State of New York to be known as the ‘‘Niagara Falls National

Heritage Area’’.

(b) ANALYSES AND DOCUMENTATION.—The study shall include

analysis and documentation of whether the study area—

(1) contains an assemblage of natural, historical, scenic,

and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of

the heritage of the United States that—

(A) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continued use; and

(B) would best be managed—

(i) through partnerships among public and private

entities; and

(ii) by combining diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities;

(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that

are a valuable part of the story of the United States;

(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,

historical, scenic, or cultural features;

(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational

opportunities;

(5) contains resources important to the identified theme

of the study area that retain a degree of integrity capable

of supporting interpretation;
S. 1227—2

(6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit

organizations, and State and local governments that—

(A) are involved in planning a national heritage area;

(B) have developed a conceptual financial plan for a

national heritage area that outlines the roles for all participants, including the Federal Government; and

(C) have demonstrated support for the concept of a

national heritage area;

(7) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations,

and State and local governments to develop a national heritage

area consistent with continued State and local economic

activity; and

(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by

the public.

(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the Secretary

shall consult with—

(1) State and local agencies; and

(2) interested organizations within the study area.

(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on

which funds are made available to carry out 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 that describes the findings, conclusions,

and recommendations of the study under subsection (a).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry out

this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.