29–010 

Calendar No. 116 

113TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 1st Session 113–62 

BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL 

PARK 

JUNE 27, 2013.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. WYDEN, from the Committee on Energy and National 

Resources, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 371] 

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 371) to establish the Blackstone River Valley 

National Historical Park, to dedicate the Park to John H. Chafee, 

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. 371 is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior 

to establish the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park 

in the States of Rhode Island and Massachusetts as a unit of the 

National Park System and to dedicate the park to former Senator 

John H. Chafee. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (Corridor) was established by Public Law 99–647 in 1986 to preserve 

and interpret the unique and significant contributions to our national heritage of historic and cultural lands, waterways, and structures within the Blackstone River Valley in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Corridor is the origin of America’s textile industry and influenced the course of the American industrial 

revolution. America’s transition from agriculture to industry manifested in the Corridor as a long-lasting and significant center of 

manufacturing that remains intact and visible today. Initially located within 19 municipalities, the Corridor was expanded in 1996 


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to encompass all or part of 24 communities from Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island. The Corridor is now home 

to nearly 600,000 people, covering 400,000 acres of the Blackstone 

River Valley. Development of the Corridor has generated numerous 

local partnerships and provides economic benefits to the associated 

communities from tourism and recreation. 

The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park would encompass much of the area within the Corridor in both Rhode Island 

and Massachusetts, including the Blackstone River and its tributaries; the Blackstone Canal; the non-contiguous nationally significant historic districts of Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket; the villages 

of Slatersville (in North Smithfield) and Ashton (in Cumberland), 

Rhode Island; and Whitinsville (in Northbridge) and Hopedale in 

Massachusetts. 

In 2011, the National Park Service completed a special resource 

study which identified the industrial heritage resources of the 

Blackstone River Valley and determined that the Corridor contained nationally significant resources which were suitable and feasible for inclusion in the National Park System. It also identified 

the continued need for partnerships in the management of the resource. The legislation also established the Blackstone River Valley 

National Heritage Corridor Commission to facilitate the development and implementation of a management plan for the Corridor. 

The authority for the Commission expires on September 30, 2013. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Senators Reed, Whitehouse, Warren, and Cowan introduced S. 

371 on February 14, 2013. The Subcommittee on National Parks 

held a hearing on S. 371 on April 23, 2013. At its business meeting 

on May 16, 2013 the Committee ordered S. 371 favorably reported. 

In the 112th Congress, Senator Reed introduced similar legislation, S. 1708, on October 13, 2011. The Subcommittee on National 

Parks held a hearing on S. 1708 on March 7, 2012 (S. Hrg. 112– 

401). 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in 

open business session on May 16, 2013, by a voice vote of a quorum 

present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 371. 

Senators Barrasso, Risch, Lee, Flake, Scott and Portman asked 

to be recorded as voting no. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1 provides the short title, the ‘‘Blackstone River Valley 

National Historical Park Establishment Act’’. 

Section 2 lists the purposes for which the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park is established. 

Section 3 defines key terms used in the bill. 

Section 4(a) establishes the Blackstone River National Historical 

Park a unit of the National Park System. 

Subsection (b) defines the historic sites, districts, and other areas 

that are included in the Park. 

Subsection (c)(1) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to acquire land or interests in land for inclusion in the park 


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boundary by donation, purchase from a willing seller with donated 

or appropriated funds, or exchange. 

Paragraph (2) directs the Secretary to establish a boundary for 

the Park upon determining that a sufficient quantity land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable park 

unit, and to publish a boundary map in the Federal Register. 

Paragraph (3) authorizes the Secretary to include within the 

boundary of the Park resources that are the subject of an agreement with the States or a subdivision of the States. 

Paragraphs (4) and (5) provide that the boundary map shall be 

adjusted when additional land or interest in land is acquired and 

that the map be available for public inspection in the appropriate 

offices of the National Park Service. 

Paragraph (6) authorizes the Secretary to acquire not more than 

10 acres in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, for the development of facilities for the Park. 

Paragraph (7) requires that land owned by the States or a political subdivision of the States be acquired only by donation. 

Subsection (d)(1) provides that the Park be managed in accordance with to the laws generally applicable to units of the National 

Park Service and this section. 

Paragraph (2) requires that Secretary prepare a general management plan for the park in consultation with the States and other 

interested parties and that the plan consider ways to use preexisting or planned visitor facilities and recreational opportunities 

developed in the National Heritage Corridor. 

Paragraph (3) authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to 

sites and resources in the National Heritage Corridor that are located outside the boundary of the Park and associated with the 

purposes for which the Park was established. 

Paragraph (4)(A) provides the Secretary with the authority to 

enter into cooperative agreements with the States, political subdivisions of the States, nonprofit organizations, and other interested 

parties, except that the Secretary may not provide more than 50 

percent of the cost of any natural, historic, or cultural resource protection project in the Park. 

Subparagraph (B) requires that any Federal funds made available under a cooperative agreement under this section be matched 

on a one to one basis. 

Subparagraph (C) provides that any payment made under subparagraph (A)(ii) be subject to an agreement that allows the United 

States to seek reimbursement if the Secretary determines that the 

conversion, use, or disposal of the project is for purposes inconsistent with the purposes of this section. 

Subparagraph (D) requires that any cooperative agreement entered into provide reasonable public access to the resources covered 

by the cooperative agreement. 

Subsection (e) dedicates the Park to former Rhode Island Senator 

John H. Chafee and requires the Secretary to display a memorial 

at an appropriate location in the Park. 

Section 5 amends Public Law 99–647 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; 100 

Stat. 3625), the legislation pertaining to the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. 

Paragraph (1) updates the map reference in section 2 of that law. 


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Paragraph (2) amends section 7 of Public Law 99–647 to designate the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, 

Inc., as the local coordinating entity, authorize the local coordinating entity to assume the duties of the Commission for the implementation of the land management plan, to obtain funds from 

any source and use those funds to make grants, enter into cooperative agreements and hire and compensate staff. 

Paragraph (3) amends section 8 of Public Law 99–647 to authorize the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements, with the 

local coordinating entity and other public or private persons to provide technical assistance and implement the management plan and 

directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the local coordinating entity to ensure the appropriate transition of management and coordinate the implementation of the Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan. 

Paragraph (4) amends section 10 of Public Law 99–647 to extend 

the authorization of appropriation for the Commission through September 30, 2016. 

Paragraph (5) adds new section 11 of Public Law 99–647 to note 

that any reference to the Commission in certain sections shall be 

considered to be a reference, to the local coordinating entity. 

Section 6 authorizes such sums as are necessary to carry out section 2 through 4. 

COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The following estimate of costs of this measure has been provided 

by the Congressional Budget Office: 

S. 371—Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Establishment Act 

Summary: S. 371 would establish the Blackstone River Valley 

National Historical Park in and around the existing Blackstone 

River Valley National Heritage Corridor in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Under the legislation, the proposed park 

would be dedicated to John H. Chafee, and a memorial would be 

displayed within the park. 

Based on information provided by the National Park Service 

(NPS), CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $26 

million over the 2014–2018 period, assuming appropriation of the 

necessary amounts. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply to this 

legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues. 

S. 371 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates 

as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 371 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2013– 

2018 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Estimated Authorization Level .......................................... 15 4 4 3 3 29 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ 9 6 5 3 3 26 


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Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the legislation will be enacted near the end of 2013 and that the necessary 

amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for similar activities. 

S. 371 would establish a new unit of the National Park System 

in the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. CBO estimates 

that the cost of implementing S. 371 would total $26 million over 

the 2014–2018 period. We estimate that the NPS would spend 

nearly $5 million to acquire property interests to comprise the new 

park. In addition, the NPS would spend more than $6 million to 

construct facilities, rehabilitate sites, and conduct research for the 

proposed park. Annual operating costs for the proposed park would 

total about $3 million beginning in 2015. 

The legislation would also designate the Blackstone River Valley 

National Heritage Corridor, Inc. as the local coordinating entity to 

disburse grants and support the activities of partner organizations. 

The legislation would authorize the appropriation of $1 million per 

year through 2016 and would cost $3 million over the 2014–2018 

period. 

Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 371 contains no 

intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined by UMRA 

and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Martin von Gnechten; Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa Merrell; Impact on the Private Sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, 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. 371. 

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. 371, as ordered reported. 

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

S. 371, as 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 National Park Service at the April 

23, 2013, Subcommittee on National Parks hearing on S. 371 follows: 


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STATEMENT OF PEGGY O’DELL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF

THE INTERIOR

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank 

you for the opportunity to present the views of the Department of the Interior on S. 371, a bill to establish the 

Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, to dedicate the Park to John H. Chafee, and for other purposes. 

The Department supports S. 371. 

S. 371 would establish a new unit of the National Park 

System, the Blackstone River Valley National Historical 

Park (Park) within the existing, bi-state, Blackstone River 

Valley National Heritage Corridor (Corridor) that extends 

from Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to establish a park boundary after acquiring a sufficient amount of land or interests in land containing the 

historic resources to constitute a manageable park unit. 

The bill allows the Secretary to include in the boundary resources that are subject to a cooperative agreement with 

either of the two states or their political subdivisions. It 

authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations, including the coordinating entity for the Corridor, as well as state and local 

governments, for the purpose of collaborating on programs, 

projects, and activities that further the purposes of the 

Park. It also permits the acquisition of up to 10 acres in 

Woonsocket, Rhode Island for the development of facilities 

for the Park. 

The bill directs the Secretary to complete a General 

Management Plan for the Park within three years after 

funds are made available. Among other things, the plan 

must seek to make maximum practicable use of certain 

named visitor facilities in the Corridor that are operated 

by Corridor partners, many of which were developed with 

significant investment of federal funds. The bill also allows 

the Secretary to provide technical assistance, visitor services, interpretive tours and educational programs to sites 

outside the boundary of the Park that are within the Corridor. And, the bill dedicates the Park to former Senator 

John H. Chafee and requires the Secretary to display an 

appropriate memorial to him. 

Finally, the bill amends the authorization for the John 

H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor to provide for a non-profit organization, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc., to be 

the local coordinating entity for the Corridor. This entity 

would assume the responsibility for coordinating activities 

for the Corridor that have rested with the Blackstone 

River Valley Heritage Corridor Commission since the National Heritage Area was first established. The new coordinating entity would be eligible to receive National Heritage Area funding through the end of fiscal 2016. 


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S. 371 reflects the findings of the special resource study 

that the National Park Service (NPS) completed in accordance with Public Law 109–338, which directed the NPS to 

conduct the study to ‘‘evaluate the possibility of (A) designating one or more sites or landscape features as a unit 

of the National Park System; and (B) coordinating and 

complementing actions by the [Corridor] Commission, local 

governments, and State and Federal agencies, in the preservation and interpretation of significant resources within 

the Corridor.’’ The NPS consulted with Native American 

tribes associated with the Blackstone River Valley in the 

preparation of the study. 

The study evaluated a broad range of sites, features and 

resources throughout the Blackstone River Valley and concluded that the following meet the criteria for designation 

as a unit of the National Park System: Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark district in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the historic mill villages of Ashton and Slatersville in 

Rhode Island, and Hopedale and Whitinsville in Massachusetts; the Blackstone River and its tributaries; and the 

Blackstone Canal. The study also evaluated various management alternatives with different scopes and levels of 

NPS involvement. The preferred alternative was a new 

unit of the National Park System that consists of these 

sites and features, and that would partner with the coordinating entity for the Corridor and others to undertake the 

protection and interpretation of these resources. 

If established based upon the management alternative 

recommended in the study, we estimate that the cost to 

create the Park would be $6.1 million in one-time expenditures on research, planning, construction and/or rehabilitation, and exhibits. When the Park is fully established, 

operational costs are estimated to be $3.5 million annually 

for salaries, supplies and equipment. All funds would be 

subject to NPS priorities and the availability of appropriations. 

We would like to thank the sponsor, Senator Reed, and 

the committee for working with us in making changes to 

last Congress’ version of this legislation. We appreciate 

that this legislation now includes a matching requirement 

for the expenditure of Federal funds under cooperative 

agreements, authority to acquire land for administrative 

purposes in Woonsocket, where the NPS currently has office space, and an appropriate recognition for Senator John 

H. Chafee’s role in preserving the resources of the Blackstone River Valley that does not set a precedent in naming 

the park for a congressional sponsor, as the previous 

version would have done. 

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my statement. I would be 

happy to answer any questions that you or other members 

of the Subcommittee may have. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill S. 


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371, as ordered reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 

printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is 

shown in roman): 

(Public Law 99–647; as amended) 

AN ACT To establish the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in 

Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

United States of America in Congress assembled, 

* * * * * * * 

BOUNDARIES AND ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 2. (a) BOUNDARIES.—The boundaries shall include the lands 

and water generally depicted on øthe map entitled ‘Blackstone 

River Valley National Heritage Corridor Boundary Map’, numbered 

BRV–80–80–001, and dated May 2, 1993¿ the map entitled ‘‘John 

H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley, National Heritage Corridor— 

Proposed Boundary’’, numbered 011/111530, and dated November 

10, 2011. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Department of the Interior in Washington, 

D.C. and the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Departments of Environmental Management. The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter 

referred to as ‘‘Secretary’’) shall publish in the Federal Register, as 

soon as practical after the date of enactment of this Act a detailed 

description and map of the boundaries established under this subsection. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 7. øTERMINATION OF COMMISSION¿ TERMINATION OF COMMISSION; DESIGNATION OF LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY. 

øThe Commission¿ (a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2013. 

(b) LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.—— 

(1) DESIGNATION.—The Blackstone River Valley National 

Heritage Corridor, Inc., shall be the local coordinating entity 

for the Corridor (referred to in this section as the ‘‘local coordinating entity’’). 

(2) IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The local coordinating entity shall assume the duties of the Commission for 

the implementation of the Cultural Heritage and Land Management Plan developed and approved under section 6. 

(c) USE OF FUNDS.—For the purposes of carrying out the management plan, the local coordinating entity may use amounts made 

available under this Act— 

(1) to make grants to the States of Massachusetts and Rhode 

Island (referred to in this section as the ‘‘States’’), political subdivisions of the States, nonprofit organizations, and other persons; 

(2) to enter into cooperative agreements with or provide technical assistance to the States, political subdivisions of the 

States, nonprofit organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested parties; 


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(3) to hire and compensate staff, including individuals with 

expertise in— 

(A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and 

recreational resource conservation; 

(B) economic, and community development; or 

(C) heritage planning; 

(4) to obtain funds or services from any source, including 

funds and services provided under any other Federal law or 

program; 

(5) to contract for goods or services; and 

(6) to support activities of partners and any other activities 

that further the purposes of the Corridor and are consistent 

with the approved management plan. 

* * * * * * * 

DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

SEC. 8. (a) PURPOSE.—To carry out the purpose of this Act, the 

Secretary shall assist the Commission in preparing the Cultural 

Heritage and Land Management Plan. * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—øThe Secretary¿(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall, upon request of the Commission, provide technical assistance to the Commission in preparation of the plan and 

for implementing the plan as set out in section 6(c). 

* * * * * * * 

(2) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Notwithstanding chapter 63 of 

title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the local coordinating entity designated by 

paragraph (1) and other public or private entities for the purpose 

of—— 

(A) providing technical assistance; or 

(B) implementing the plan under section 6(c). 

* * * * * * * 

ø(d) SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.—— 

ø(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a special Resource study of sites and associated landscape features within 

the boundaries of the Corridor that contribute to the understanding of the Corridor as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States. 

ø(2) EVALUATION.—Not later than 3 years after the date on 

which funds are made available to carry out this subsection, 

the Secretary shall complete the study under paragraph (1) to 

evaluate the possibility of—— 

ø(A) designating 1 or more site or landscaping feature as 

a unit of the National Park System; and 

ø(B) coordinating and complementing actions by the 

commission, local governments, and State and Federal 

agencies, in the preservation and interpretation of significant resources within the Corridor. 

ø(3) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate the 

Study with the Commission. 

ø(4) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date on 

which the study under paragraph (1) in completed, the SecVerDate Mar 15 2010 02:56 Jul 02, 2013 Jkt 029010 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR062.XXX SR062

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retary 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—— 

ø(A) the findings of the study; and 

ø(B) the conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.¿ 

(d) TRANSITION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 

local coordinating entity to ensure— 

(1) the appropriate transition of management of the Corridor 

from the Commission to the local coordinating entity; and 

(2) coordination regarding the implementation of the Cultural 

Heritage and Land Management Plan. 

* * * * * * * 

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 10. (a) There is authorized to be appropriated annually to 

the Commission $1,000,000 for each year øin which the Commission is in existence¿ until September 30, 2016 to carry out the purposes of this Act; except that the Federal contribution to the Commission shall not exceed 50 percent of the annual operating costs 

of the Commission. 

(b) DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 8(c) not more than $10,000,000 for the 

period of fiscal years 2006 through 2016, to remain available until 

expended. 

ø(c) SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out section 8(d).¿ 

SEC. 11. REFERENCES TO THE CORRIDOR, INC.—For purposes of 

section 6, 8 (other than section 8(d)(1)), 9, and 10, a reference to the 

‘‘Commission’’ shall be considered to be a reference to the local coordinating entity. 

Æ 


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