I

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 2932

To authorize the establishment of a center for the conservation and interpretation of Ozark culture and heritage at the Ozark National Scenic

Riverways, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AUGUST 6, 1993

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

Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the establishment of a center for the conservation and interpretation of Ozark culture and heritage

at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, 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. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ozark Heritage Con5 servation Act’’.

6 SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

7 The purposes of this Act are to—
2

HR 2932 IH

1 (1) recognize the important contribution made

2 to American culture and history by those who settled

3 in the Ozarks region of south-central Missouri;

4 (2) assist local and State governments and

5 other public and private entities in the State of Mis6 souri in interpreting the unique interplay between

7 the Ozark landscape, including the Ozark National

8 Scenic Riverway and the Mark Twain National For9 est, and the development of the Ozark folk culture;

10 and

11 (3) assist local and State governments and

12 other public and private entities in the State of Mis13 souri in conserving the rich folk culture of the Ozark

14 settlers and their descendants for the benefit and

15 education of the public.

16 SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR OZARK HERITAGE CENTER.

17 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior is

18 authorized to establish a center for the conservation and

19 interpretation of Ozark culture within the State of

20 Missouri.

21 (b) AUTHORIZATION FOR CONSTRUCTION.—The Sec22 retary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the

23 National Park Service, is authorized to construct a visitor

24 center for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Such visi25 tor center shall be located on lands under the administra-
3

HR 2932 IH

1 tive jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture at the site

2 of the United States Forest Service Van Buren District

3 Ranger Station within the Mark Twain National Forest.

4 The Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into such ar5 rangements with the Secretary of the Interior as may be

6 necessary to permit the construction of such visitor center.

7 (c) OPERATION.—The center shall be operated by the

8 Director of the National Park Service in cooperation with

9 the chief of the United States Forest Service. The Sec10 retary may contract with public and private entities for

11 the operation of the center, at the discretion of the Sec12 retary, in accordance with program standards approved by

13 the Secretary.

14 (d) INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM.—The center shall pro15 vide interpretive services for the Ozark National Scenic

16 Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest and shall

17 function as a regional cultural center for the study of

18 Ozark folklife, history, and culture.

19 (e) APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be ap20 propriated to the Secretary of the Interior not more than

21 $7,000,000 for construction of the center referred to in

22 subsection (b). There is authorized to be appropriated to

23 the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agri24 culture such sums as may be necessary for operation of

25 such center.
4

HR 2932 IH

1 SEC. 4. STUDY.

2 Within one year after the date of enactment of this

3 Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and trans4 mit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the United

5 States House of Representatives and the Committee on

6 Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Sen7 ate an initial study of Ozark culture in Missouri. The Sec8 retary shall consult with the Director of the American

9 Folklife Center of the Library of Congress, and any other

10 sources the Secretary deems appropriate, in the prepara11 tion of such study.

Æ