IIB

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. 2421

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2000

Referred to the Committee on Resources

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 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’’.
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1 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

2 In this Act:

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

4 the Secretary of the Interior.

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

6 means the Upper Housatonic Valley National Herit7 age Area, comprised of—

8 (A) the part of the watershed of the

9 Housatonic River, extending 60 miles from

10 Lanesboro, Massachusetts, to Kent, Con11 necticut;

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

13 Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and

14 Warren, Connecticut; and

15 (C) the towns of Alford, Dalton,

16 Egremont, Great Barrington, Hinsdale,

17 Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount

18 Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Rich19 mond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham,

20 Washington, and West Stockbridge, Massachu21 setts.

22 SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

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

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

25 a study of the Study Area.
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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;
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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.
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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.

Passed the Senate July 27, 2000.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.