I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2024 
To establish the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 18, 2021 
Mr. HOYER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Southern Maryland 
National Heritage Area Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) HERITAGE
AREA.—The term ‘‘Heritage 
Area’’ means the Southern Maryland National Her-
itage Area established by section 3(a). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(2) LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘Local Coordinating Entity’’ means the local coordi-
nating entity for the Heritage Area designated by 
section 3(c). 
(3) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘manage-
ment plan’’ means the management plan for the 
Heritage Area prepared under section 5(a). 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of Maryland. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND NA-
TIONAL HERITAGE AREA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the State 
the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, to be ad-
ministered in accordance with this Act. 
(b) BOUNDARIES.—The Heritage Area shall include 
portions of St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, and Prince 
George’s Counties in the State, with the specific bound-
aries to be established by the Secretary, based on the fea-
sibility study for the Heritage Area. 
(c) LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.—The Tri-County 
Council for Southern Maryland shall serve as the local co-
ordinating entity for the Heritage Area. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) AUTHORITIES.—For purposes of carrying out the 
management plan, the Secretary (acting through the Local 
Coordinating Entity) may use amounts made available 
under section 9— 
(1) to make grants to the State, political sub-
divisions of the State, Indian Tribes, nonprofit orga-
nizations, and other entities; 
(2) to enter into cooperative agreements with, 
or provide technical assistance to, the State, political 
subdivisions of the State, Indian Tribes, nonprofit 
organizations, and other interested entities; 
(3) to hire and compensate staff, which shall in-
clude individuals with expertise in natural, cultural, 
and historical resources protection and heritage pro-
gramming; 
(4) to obtain money or services from any 
source, including any money or services that are pro-
vided under any other Federal law or program; 
(5) to contract for marketing, advertising, and 
public relations; 
(6) to contract for goods or services; 
(7) to contract for fundraising; and 
(8) to undertake any other activity that— 
(A) furthers the purposes of the Heritage 
Area; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(B) is consistent with the approved man-
agement plan. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Local Coordinating Entity shall— 
(1) assist Federal agencies, the State, political 
subdivisions of the State, Indian Tribes, regional 
planning organizations, nonprofit organizations, and 
other interested persons in carrying out the ap-
proved management plan by— 
(A) carrying out programs and projects 
that recognize, protect, and enhance important 
resource values in the Heritage Area; 
(B) establishing and maintaining interpre-
tive exhibits and programs in the Heritage 
Area; 
(C) developing recreational, interpretive, 
and educational opportunities in the Heritage 
Area; 
(D) increasing public awareness of, and 
appreciation for, natural, historical, scenic, and 
cultural resources of the Heritage Area; 
(E) protecting and restoring historic sites 
and buildings in the Heritage Area that are 
consistent with the themes of the Heritage 
Area; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(F) ensuring that clear, consistent, and ap-
propriate signs identifying points of public ac-
cess and sites of interest are posted throughout 
the Heritage Area; and 
(G) promoting a wide range of partner-
ships among the Federal Government, State, 
Tribal, and local governments, organizations, 
and individuals to further the purposes of the 
Heritage Area; 
(2) consider the interests of diverse units of 
government, businesses, organizations, and individ-
uals in the Heritage Area in the preparation and im-
plementation of the management plan; 
(3) conduct meetings open to the public not less 
frequently than semiannually regarding the develop-
ment and implementation of the management plan; 
and 
(4) for any year that Federal funds have been 
received under this subsection— 
(A) submit to the Secretary an annual re-
port that describes, with respect to the report-
ing period, the activities, expenses, and income 
of the Local Coordinating Entity; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(B) make available to the Secretary for 
audit all records relating to the expenditure of 
the funds and any matching funds; and 
(C) encourage, by appropriate means and 
consistent with the purposes of the Heritage 
Area, the economic viability of the Heritage 
Area. 
(c) PROHIBITION ON THE ACQUISITION OF REAL 
PROPERTY.—The Local Coordinating Entity shall not use 
Federal funds made available under section 9 to acquire 
real property or any interest in real property. 
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date on which funds are first made available to carry out 
this Act, the Local Coordinating Entity shall submit to 
the Secretary for approval a proposed management plan 
for the Heritage Area. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The management plan shall— 
(1) incorporate an integrated and cooperative 
approach for the protection, enhancement, and inter-
pretation of the natural, cultural, historic, scenic, 
and recreational resources of the Heritage Area; 
(2) take into consideration other applicable 
Federal, State, local, and Tribal plans and treaty 
rights; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(3) include— 
(A) an inventory of— 
(i) the resources located in the Herit-
age Area; and 
(ii) any other property in the Heritage 
Area that— 
(I) is related to the themes of the 
Heritage Area; and 
(II) should be preserved, re-
stored, managed, or maintained be-
cause of the significance of the prop-
erty; 
(B) comprehensive policies, strategies, and 
recommendations for the conservation, funding, 
management, and development of the Heritage 
Area; 
(C) a description of activities that the Fed-
eral Government, State, Tribal, and local gov-
ernments, private organizations, and individuals 
have agreed to carry out to protect the natural, 
historical, cultural, scenic, and recreational re-
sources of the Heritage Area; 
(D) a program of implementation for the 
management plan by the Local Coordinating 
Entity that includes a description of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(i) actions to facilitate ongoing col-
laboration among partners to promote 
plans for resource protection, restoration, 
and construction; and 
(ii) specific commitments for imple-
mentation that have been made by the 
Local Coordinating Entity or any unit of 
government, organization, or individual for 
the first 5 years of operation of the Herit-
age Area; 
(E) the identification of sources of funding 
to implement the management plan; 
(F) analysis and recommendations for 
means by which Federal, State, local, and Trib-
al programs (including the role of the National 
Park Service in the Heritage Area) may carry 
out the purposes of this Act; 
(G) an interpretive plan for the Heritage 
Area; and 
(H) recommended policies and strategies 
for resource management that consider and de-
tail the application of appropriate land and 
water management techniques, including the de-
velopment of intergovernmental and interagency 
cooperative agreements to protect the natural, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and rec-
reational resources of the Heritage Area. 
(c) DEADLINE.—If a proposed management plan is 
not submitted to the Secretary by the date that is 3 years 
after the date on which funds are first made available to 
carry out this Act, the Local Coordinating Entity shall be 
ineligible to receive additional funding under this Act until 
the date on which the Secretary approves the management 
plan. 
(d) APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT 
PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of receipt of the management plan 
under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation 
with State and Tribal governments, shall approve or 
disapprove the management plan. 
(2) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—In determining 
whether to approve the management plan, the Sec-
retary shall consider whether— 
(A) the Local Coordinating Entity is rep-
resentative of the diverse interests of the Herit-
age Area, including the Federal Government, 
State, Tribal, and local governments, natural 
and historic resource protection organizations, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
educational institutions, businesses, and rec-
reational organizations; 
(B) the Local Coordinating Entity has af-
forded adequate opportunity, including public 
hearings, for public and governmental involve-
ment in the preparation of the management 
plan; and 
(C) the resource protection and interpreta-
tion strategies contained in the management 
plan, if implemented, would adequately protect 
the natural, historical, and cultural resources of 
the Heritage Area. 
(3) ACTION FOLLOWING DISAPPROVAL.—If the 
Secretary disapproves the management plan under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) advise the Local Coordinating Entity 
in writing of the reasons for the disapproval; 
(B) make recommendations to the Local 
Coordinating Entity for revisions to the man-
agement plan; and 
(C) not later than 180 days after the re-
ceipt of any proposed revision of the manage-
ment plan from the Local Coordinating Entity, 
approve or disapprove the proposed revision. 
(4) AMENDMENTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ap-
prove or disapprove each amendment of the 
management plan that the Secretary determines 
makes a substantial change to the management 
plan. 
(B) USE OF FUNDS.—The Local Coordi-
nating Entity shall not use Federal funds au-
thorized under section 9 to carry out any 
amendment to the management plan until the 
date on which the Secretary has approved the 
amendment. 
SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act affects the au-
thority of a Federal agency to provide technical or finan-
cial assistance under any other law. 
(b) CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION.—The head 
of any Federal agency planning to conduct activities that 
may have an impact on the Heritage Area is encouraged 
to consult and coordinate the activities with the Secretary 
and the Local Coordinating Entity to the maximum extent 
practicable. 
(c) OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Nothing in this 
Act— 
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any law (includ-
ing regulations) authorizing a Federal agency to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
manage Federal land under the jurisdiction of the 
Federal agency; 
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land man-
ager to implement an approved land use plan within 
the boundaries of the Heritage Area; or 
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized 
use of Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Fed-
eral agency. 
SEC. 7. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTEC-
TIONS. 
Nothing in this Act— 
(1) abridges the rights of any property owner 
(whether public or private), including the right to re-
frain from participating in any plan, project, pro-
gram, or activity conducted within the Heritage 
Area; 
(2) requires any property owner— 
(A) to permit public access (including ac-
cess by Federal, State, or local agencies) to the 
property of the property owner; or 
(B) to modify public access or use of prop-
erty of the property owner under any other 
Federal, State, or local law; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, 
approved land use plan, or other regulatory author-
ity of any Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency; 
(4) conveys any land use or other regulatory 
authority to the Local Coordinating Entity; 
(5) authorizes or implies the reservation or ap-
propriation of water or water rights; 
(6) enlarges or diminishes the treaty rights of 
any Indian Tribe within the Heritage Area; 
(7) diminishes— 
(A) the authority of the State to manage 
fish and wildlife, including the regulation of 
fishing and hunting, within the Heritage Area; 
or 
(B) the authority of Indian Tribes to regu-
late members of Indian Tribes with respect to 
fishing, hunting, and gathering in the exercise 
of treaty rights; or 
(8) creates any liability, or affects any liability 
under any other law, of any private property owner 
with respect to any person injured on the private 
property. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 8. EVALUATION AND REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years before the 
date on which authority for Federal funding terminates 
for the Heritage Area, the Secretary shall— 
(1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplish-
ments of the Heritage Area; and 
(2) prepare a report in accordance with sub-
section (c). 
(b) EVALUATION.—An evaluation conducted under 
subsection (a)(1) shall— 
(1) assess the progress of the Local Coordi-
nating Entity with respect to— 
(A) accomplishing the purposes of the Her-
itage Area; and 
(B) achieving the goals and objectives of 
the approved management plan; 
(2) analyze the investments of the Federal Gov-
ernment, State, Tribal, and local governments, and 
private entities in the Heritage Area to determine 
the impact of the investments; and 
(3) review the management structure, partner-
ship relationships, and funding of the Heritage Area 
for purposes of identifying the critical components 
for sustainability of the Heritage Area. 
(c) REPORT.—Based on the evaluation conducted 
under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives a report that includes recommendations 
for the future role of the National Park Service, if any, 
with respect to the Heritage Area. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated for the Heritage Area to carry out the purposes 
of this Act $10,000,000, of which not more than 
$1,000,000 may be made available in any fiscal year. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available under 
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended. 
(c) COST-SHARING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the 
total cost of any activity under this Act shall be not 
more than 50 percent. 
(2) FORM.—The non-Federal share of the total 
cost of any activity under this Act may be in the 
form of in-kind contributions of goods or services 
fairly valued. 
(d) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority of 
the Secretary to provide assistance under this Act termi-
nates on the date that is 15 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:05 May 21, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2024.IH
H2024
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS