Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act of 2015

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act of 2015 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Heritage Area The term Heritage Area (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) State The term State (4) Study area The term study area (A) the counties in the State of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, and Yates; and (B) any other areas in the State that— (i) have heritage aspects that are similar to the areas described in subparagraph (A); and (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas. 3. Study (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with State and local historic preservation officers, State and local historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area (b) Requirements The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study area— (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that— (A) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States; (B) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use; and (C) would be best managed— (i) through partnerships among public and private entities; and (ii) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities; (2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States; (3) provides outstanding opportunities— (A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and (B) for recreation and education; (4) contains resources that— (A) are important to any identified themes of the study area; and (B) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation; (5) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and State and local governments that— (A) are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area; (B) have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, including the Federal Government; and (C) have demonstrated support for the designation of the Heritage Area; (6) has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging State and local economic activity; and (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public. 4. Report Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, 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— (a) the findings of the study under section 3; and (b) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

Summary: Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating specified counties and other areas in the state of New York as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area.