II

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. 2421

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 Connecticut and Massachusetts.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

APRIL 13, 2000

Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself, Mr. DODD, Mr. KERRY, and Mr. KENNEDY) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

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 Connecticut

and Massachusetts.

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 ‘‘Upper Housatonic Val5 ley National Heritage Area Study Act of 2000’’.

6 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

7 In this Act:
2

•S 2421 IS

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

2 the Secretary of the Interior.

3 (2) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘Study Area’’

4 means the Upper Housatonic Valley National Herit5 age Area, comprised of—

6 (A) the part of the watershed of the

7 Housatonic River, extending 60 miles from

8 Lanesboro, Massachusetts, to Kent, Con9 necticut;

10 (B) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent,

11 Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and

12 Warren, Connecticut; and

13 (C) the towns of Alford, Dalton,

14 Egremont, Great Barrington, Hinsdale,

15 Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount

16 Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Rich17 mond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham,

18 Washington, and West Stockbridge, Massachu19 setts.

20 SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

21 (a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the

22 date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete

23 a study of the Study Area.
3

•S 2421 IS

1 (b) INCLUSIONS.—The study shall determine,

2 through appropriate analysis and documentation, whether

3 the Study Area—

4 (1) includes an assemblage of natural, histor5 ical, and cultural resources that represent distinctive

6 aspects of the heritage of the United States that—

7 (A) are worthy of recognition, conserva8 tion, interpretation, and continued use; and

9 (B) would best be managed—

10 (i) through partnerships among public

11 and private entities; and

12 (ii) by combining diverse and, in some

13 cases, noncontiguous resources and active

14 communities;

15 (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and

16 folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the

17 United States;

18 (3) provides outstanding opportunities to con19 serve natural, historical, cultural, or scenic features;

20 (4) provides outstanding recreational and edu21 cational opportunities;

22 (5) contains resources important to any theme

23 of the Study Area that retains a degree of integrity

24 capable of supporting interpretation;
4

•S 2421 IS

1 (6) includes residents, business interests, non2 profit organizations, and State and local govern3 ments that—

4 (A) are involved in the planning of the

5 Study Area;

6 (B) have developed a conceptual financial

7 plan that outlines the roles of all participants

8 for development and management of the Study

9 Area, including the Federal Government; and

10 (C) have demonstrated support for the

11 concept of a national heritage area;

12 (7) has a potential management entity to work

13 in partnership with residents, business interests,

14 nonprofit organizations, and State and local govern15 ments to develop a national heritage area consistent

16 with continued State and local economic activity;

17 and

18 (8) is depicted on a conceptual boundary map

19 that is supported by the public.

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

21 Secretary shall consult with—

22 (1) State historic preservation officers;

23 (2) State historical societies; and

24 (3) other appropriate organizations.
5

•S 2421 IS

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

2 date on which funds are made available to carry out this

3 Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Re4 sources of the House of Representatives and the Com5 mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate

6 a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommenda7 tions of the study.

8 SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

9 There is authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to

10 carry out this Act.

Æ