II

Calendar No. 635

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. 2421

[Report No. 106–317]

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

JUNE 27, 2000

Reported by Mr. MURKOWSKI, without amendment

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,
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S 2421 RS

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Upper Housatonic Val3 ley National Heritage Area Study Act of 2000’’.

4 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

5 In this Act:

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

7 the Secretary of the Interior.

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

9 means the Upper Housatonic Valley National Herit10 age Area, comprised of—

11 (A) the part of the watershed of the

12 Housatonic River, extending 60 miles from

13 Lanesboro, Massachusetts, to Kent, Con14 necticut;

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

16 Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and

17 Warren, Connecticut; and

18 (C) the towns of Alford, Dalton,

19 Egremont, Great Barrington, Hinsdale,

20 Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount

21 Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Rich22 mond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham,

23 Washington, and West Stockbridge, Massachu24 setts.
3

S 2421 RS

1 SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

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

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

4 a study of the Study Area.

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

6 through appropriate analysis and documentation, whether

7 the Study Area—

8 (1) includes an assemblage of natural, histor9 ical, and cultural resources that represent distinctive

10 aspects of the heritage of the United States that—

11 (A) are worthy of recognition, conserva12 tion, interpretation, and continued use; and

13 (B) would best be managed—

14 (i) through partnerships among public

15 and private entities; and

16 (ii) by combining diverse and, in some

17 cases, noncontiguous resources and active

18 communities;

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

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

21 United States;

22 (3) provides outstanding opportunities to con23 serve natural, historical, cultural, or scenic features;

24 (4) provides outstanding recreational and edu25 cational opportunities;
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S 2421 RS

1 (5) contains resources important to any theme

2 of the Study Area that retains a degree of integrity

3 capable of supporting interpretation;

4 (6) includes residents, business interests, non5 profit organizations, and State and local govern6 ments that—

7 (A) are involved in the planning of the

8 Study Area;

9 (B) have developed a conceptual financial

10 plan that outlines the roles of all participants

11 for development and management of the Study

12 Area, including the Federal Government; and

13 (C) have demonstrated support for the

14 concept of a national heritage area;

15 (7) has a potential management entity to work

16 in partnership with residents, business interests,

17 nonprofit organizations, and State and local govern18 ments to develop a national heritage area consistent

19 with continued State and local economic activity;

20 and

21 (8) is depicted on a conceptual boundary map

22 that is supported by the public.

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

24 Secretary shall consult with—

25 (1) State historic preservation officers;
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S 2421 RS

1 (2) State historical societies; and

2 (3) other appropriate organizations.

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

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

5 Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Re6 sources of the House of Representatives and the Com7 mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate

8 a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommenda9 tions of the study.

10 SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

12 carry out this Act.
Calendar No. 635

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. 2421

[Report No. 106–317]

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct

a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley NationalHeritage Area in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

JUNE 27, 2000

Reported without amendment