PUBLIC LAW 106–470—NOV. 9, 2000 114 STAT. 2055

Public Law 106–470

106th Congress

An Act

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

feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area

in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 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 ‘‘Upper Housatonic National

Heritage Area Study Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior (‘‘the Secretary’’)

shall conduct a study of the Upper Housatonic National Heritage

Area (‘‘Study Area’’). The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations regarding whether the Study Area—

(1) 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;

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

are a valuable part of the national story;

(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,

historic, cultural, and/or scenic features;

(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational

opportunities;

(5) contains resources important to the identified theme

or themes of the Study Area that retain a degree of integrity

capable of supporting interpretation;

(6) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit

organizations, and local and State governments who 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;

(7) 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

Upper

Housatonic

National

Heritage Area

Study Act of

2000.

Nov. 9, 2000

[H.R. 4312]

114 STAT. 2056 PUBLIC LAW 106–470—NOV. 9, 2000

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4312 (S. 2421):

SENATE REPORTS: No. 106–317 accompanying S. 2421 (Comm. on Energy and

Natural Resources).

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000):

Oct. 17, considered and passed House.

Oct. 27, considered and passed Senate.

Æ

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

the public.

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

shall consult with the State historic preservation officers, State

historical societies and other appropriate organizations.

SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.

The Study Area shall be comprised of—

(1) part of the Housatonic River’s watershed, which extends

60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut;

(2) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, North

Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren in Connecticut; and

(3) the towns of Alford, Dalton, Egremont, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount

Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield,

Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge

in Massachusetts.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds

are first available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and

the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a

report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the

study.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry

out the provisions of this Act.

Approved November 9, 2000.

Deadline.