To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes. 1. Los caminos del rio (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Corridor The term Corridor (2) Map The term map Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor (3) Secretary The term Secretary (4) Study area The term study area (b) Study (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with State historic preservation officers, State historical societies, State tourism offices, State natural resource agencies, and other appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor. (2) Study area The study area includes— (A) the portion of the Rio Grande River and surrounding areas, as generally depicted on the map; and (B) any other areas in the State of Texas that— (i) have a shared heritage with the areas depicted on the map described in subparagraph (A); and (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas. (3) Requirements The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study area— (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that— (i) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States; (ii) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use by residents and visitors; and (iii) would be best managed— (I) through partnerships among public and private entities; and (II) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities that share a common heritage; (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States; (C) provides— (i) outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and (ii) outstanding recreational and educational and cultural tourism opportunities; (D) contains resources that— (i) are important to any identified themes of the study area; and (ii) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation; (E) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, including museums and heritage organizations, and State and local governments that— (i) are involved in the planning of the Corridor; (ii) have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Corridor, including the Federal Government; and (iii) have demonstrated support for the designation of the Corridor; (F) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in subparagraph (E) to develop the Corridor while encouraging State and local economic activity; and (G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public. (c) Report Not later than the end of the third fiscal year after the date on which funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes— (1) the findings of the study; and (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

Summary: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area in a border region of Texas as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor. The study area includes (1) the portion of the Rio Grande River and surrounding areas as generally depicted on the map titled Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor and dated April 2020; and (2) any other areas in Texas that have a shared heritage with the areas depicted on the map and are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.