I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4345 
To establish the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 16, 2009 
Mr. DAVIS of Alabama (for himself, Mr. BRIGHT, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, 
Mr. GRIFFITH, Mr. BONNER, Mr. BACHUS, and Mr. ADERHOLT) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the Alabama Black Belt 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Purposes. 
Sec. 4. Definitions. 
Sec. 5. Designation of Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
Sec. 6. Local coordinating entity. 
Sec. 7. Management plan. 
Sec. 8. Evaluation; report. 
Sec. 9. Relationship to other Federal agencies. 
Sec. 10. Private property and regulatory protections. 
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 12. Use of Federal funds from other sources. 
Sec. 13. Termination of financial assistance. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Black Belt area in the lower-central 
portion of Alabama is a region that sustains an 
abundance of natural resources, historical sites, cul-
tural diversity, and recreational activities shaped by 
its fertile black soil. 
(2) The Alabama Black Belt National Heritage 
Area feasibility study includes the 19 counties of 
Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, 
Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, 
Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, 
Washington, and Wilcox in the State of Alabama. 
(3) The geography of the Black Belt is com-
prised of threatened prairies, forests, and rivers that 
contain incredibly diverse species of flora and fauna. 
(4) The Black Belt region struggles with a de-
clining population, a high unemployment rate, insuf-
ficient schools and health care, and 8 of the 100 
poorest counties in the United States. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(5) The Black Belt region includes Moundville, 
the second largest Native American ceremonial cen-
ter of the Mississippian period. 
(6) The Black Belt region is characterized by 
its distinctive geography and its exceptionally fertile 
black soil, which influenced the construction of a 
large network of cotton plantations and antebellum 
architecture, which in turn led to the city of Mont-
gomery being established as the first capital of the 
Confederacy. 
(7) The Black Belt region was the center of the 
American civil rights movement, including the his-
torical scenes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and 
the Selma to Montgomery March, which led to the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act 
of 1965. 
(8) The Black Belt region is home to Harper 
Lee, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning novel ‘‘To 
Kill a Mockingbird’’. 
(9) The Black Belt region is home to the Gee’s 
Bend Quilters, whose artistic talents have been dis-
played in the Smithsonian Museum and featured on 
United States postage stamps. 
(10) The Black Belt is home to three units of 
the National Park System: the Selma to Mont-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
gomery National Historic Trail, the Tuskegee Air-
men National Historic Site, and the Tuskegee Insti-
tute National Historic Site. 
(11) The Black Belt includes two National For-
ests maintained by the Forest Service: the Talladega 
National 
Forest-Oakmulgee 
District 
and 
the 
Tuskegee National Forest. The Bartram Trail, a 
National 
Recreation 
Trail, 
runs 
through 
the 
Tuskegee National Forest. 
(12) The Black Belt includes two National 
Wildlife Refuges maintained by the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service: the Cahaba National Wildlife Ref-
uge and the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge. 
(13) The Black Belt is home to two Army 
Corps of Engineers projects: the Alabama River 
Lakes and the Black Warrior and Tombigbee Lakes. 
The Corps management offices are located in 
Lowndes, Marengo, and Wilcox Counties within the 
Black Belt. Many public recreation and natural re-
sources sites are managed by the Corps in these 
river basins. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to recognize the significant natural and cul-
tural legacies of the area, as described in the study 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
titled ‘‘Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area: Feasi-
bility Study for National Heritage Area Designa-
tion’’, prepared for the National Park Service in 
March, 2009; 
(2) to promote heritage, cultural, and rec-
reational tourism and to develop educational and 
cultural programs for visitors and the general public; 
(3) to recognize and interpret important events 
and geographic locations of Alabama’s Black Belt 
region, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and 
the Selma to Montgomery March, and the region’s 
exceptionally fertile soil, prairies, forests and rivers; 
(4) to recognize and interpret the distinctive 
role the region played in the history of the United 
States, including the Civil War, with Montgomery 
serving as the first capital of the Confederacy and 
later as the center of the American Civil Rights 
movement; 
(5) to provide a cooperative management frame-
work to foster a close working relationship with all 
levels of government, the private sector, and the 
local communities in the region in identifying, pre-
serving, interpreting, and developing the natural, 
historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and rec-
reational resources of the region for the educational 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
and inspirational benefit of current and future gen-
erations; and 
(6) to provide appropriate linkages between 
units of the National Park System and communities, 
governments, and organizations within the National 
Heritage Area. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) NATIONAL
HERITAGE
AREA.—The term 
‘‘National Heritage Area’’ means the Alabama Black 
Belt National Heritage Area established by this Act. 
(2) LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.—The term 
‘‘local coordinating entity’’ means the Center for the 
Study of the Black Belt at the University of West 
Alabama. 
(3) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘manage-
ment plan’’ means the plan prepared by the local co-
ordinating entity for the National Heritage Area in 
accordance with this Act. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF ALABAMA BLACK BELT NATIONAL 
HERITAGE AREA. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established 
the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area in the 
State of Alabama. 
(b) BOUNDARIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The National Heritage Area 
shall consist of sites as designated by the manage-
ment plan within a core area located in Alabama, 
consisting of Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, 
Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, 
Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, 
Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox counties. 
(2) MAP.—The boundaries of the National Her-
itage Area shall be as generally depicted on the map 
titled ‘‘llllllllll’’, and numbered 
lllll, and dated lllll. The map shall 
be on file and available to the public in the appro-
priate offices of the National Park Service and the 
local coordinating entity. 
SEC. 6. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Center for the Study of the 
Black Belt at the University of West Alabama shall be 
the local coordinating entity for the National Heritage 
Area. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(b) DUTIES.—To further the purposes of the Na-
tional Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity shall— 
(1) submit a management plan to the Secretary 
in accordance with this Act; 
(2) submit an annual report to the Secretary 
for each fiscal year for which the local coordinating 
entity receives Federal funds under this Act, speci-
fying— 
(A) the specific performance goals and ac-
complishments of the local coordinating entity; 
(B) the expenses and income of the local 
coordinating entity; 
(C) the amounts and sources of matching 
funds; 
(D) the amounts of non-Federal funds le-
veraged with Federal funds and sources of the 
leveraging; and 
(E) grants made to any other entities dur-
ing the fiscal year; 
(3) make available for audit, for each fiscal 
year for which the local coordinating entity receives 
Federal funds under this Act, all information per-
taining to the expenditure of the funds and any 
matching funds; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(4) encourage economic viability and sustain-
ability that is consistent with the purposes of the 
National Heritage Area. 
(c) AUTHORITIES.—For the purposes of preparing 
and implementing the approved management plan, the 
local coordinating entity may use Federal funds received 
under this Act— 
(1) to make grants to political jurisdictions, 
nonprofit organizations, and other parties within the 
National Heritage Area; 
(2) to enter into cooperative agreements with or 
provide technical assistance to political jurisdictions, 
nonprofit organizations, Federal agencies, and other 
interested parties; 
(3) to hire and compensate staff, including indi-
viduals with expertise in— 
(A) natural, historical, cultural, edu-
cational, scenic, and recreational resource con-
servation; 
(B) economic and community development; 
and 
(C) heritage planning; 
(4) to obtain funds or services from any source, 
including other Federal programs; 
(5) to contract for goods or services; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(6) to support activities of partners and any 
other activities that further the purposes of the Na-
tional Heritage Area and are consistent with the ap-
proved management plan. 
(d) PROHIBITION ON ACQUISITION OF REAL PROP-
ERTY.—The local coordinating entity may not use Federal 
funds received under this Act to acquire any interest in 
real property. 
SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—The management plan shall— 
(1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strat-
egies, and recommendations for telling the story of 
the heritage of the area covered by the National 
Heritage Area and encouraging long-term resource 
protection, enhancement, interpretation, funding, 
management, and development of the National Her-
itage Area; 
(2) include a description of actions and commit-
ments that Federal, State, and local governments, 
private organizations, and citizens plan to take to 
protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and de-
velop the natural, historical, cultural, educational, 
scenic, and recreational resources of the National 
Heritage Area; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(3) specify existing and potential sources of 
funding or economic development strategies to pro-
tect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop 
the National Heritage Area; 
(4) include an inventory of the natural, histor-
ical, cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational 
resources of the National Heritage Area related to 
the national importance and themes of the National 
Heritage Area that should be protected, enhanced, 
interpreted, funded, managed, and developed; 
(5) include recommendations for resource man-
agement policies and strategies, including the devel-
opment of intergovernmental and interagency agree-
ments to protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, 
and develop the natural, historical, cultural, edu-
cational, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
National Heritage Area; 
(6) describe a program for implementation of 
the management plan, including— 
(A) performance goals; 
(B) plans for resource protection, enhance-
ment, interpretation, funding, management, and 
development; and 
(C) specific commitments for implementa-
tion that have been made by the local coordi-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
nating entity or any Federal, State, or local 
government agency, organization, business, or 
individual; 
(7) include an analysis of, and recommenda-
tions for, means by which Federal, State, and local 
programs may best be coordinated (including the 
role of the National Park Service and other Federal 
agencies associated with the National Heritage 
Area) to further the purposes of this Act; and 
(8) include a business plan that— 
(A) describes the role, operation, financing, 
and functions of the local coordinating entity 
and of each of the major activities described in 
the management plan; and 
(B) provides adequate assurances that the 
local coordinating entity has the partnerships 
and financial and other resources necessary to 
implement the management plan. 
(b) DEADLINE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date on which funds are made available pursuant 
to this Act to develop the management plan, the 
local coordinating entity shall submit the manage-
ment plan to the Secretary for approval. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(2) TERMINATION OF FUNDING.—If the man-
agement plan is not submitted to the Secretary in 
accordance with paragraph (1), the local coordi-
nating entity may not receive any additional finan-
cial assistance under this Act until such time as the 
management plan is submitted to and approved by 
the Secretary. 
(c) APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days after re-
ceiving the management plan, the Secretary shall re-
view and approve or disapprove the management 
plan on the basis of the criteria listed in paragraph 
(3). 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall con-
sult with the Governor of Alabama before approving 
a management plan. 
(3) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—In determining 
whether to approve a management plan, the Sec-
retary shall consider whether— 
(A) the local coordinating entity— 
(i) represents the diverse interests of 
the National Heritage Area, including Fed-
eral, State, and local governments, natural, 
and historical resource protection organiza-
tions, educational institutions, businesses, 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
recreational organizations, community resi-
dents, and private property owners; 
(ii) has afforded adequate opportunity 
for public and Federal, State, and local 
governmental 
involvement 
(including 
through workshops and public meetings) in 
the preparation of the management plan; 
(iii) provides for at least semiannual 
public meetings to ensure adequate imple-
mentation of the management plan; and 
(iv) has demonstrated the financial 
capability, in partnership with others, to 
carry out the management plan; 
(B) the management plan— 
(i) describes resource protection, en-
hancement, interpretation, funding, man-
agement, 
and 
development 
strategies 
which, if implemented, would adequately 
protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, 
and develop the natural, historical, cul-
tural, educational, scenic, and recreational 
resources of the National Heritage Area; 
(ii) would not adversely affect any ac-
tivities authorized on Federal land under 
public applicable laws or land use plans; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(iii) demonstrates partnerships among 
the local coordinating entity, Federal, 
State, and local governments, regional 
planning organizations, nonprofit organiza-
tions, and private sector parties for imple-
mentation of the management plan; and 
(iv) complies with the requirements of 
this section; and 
(C) the Secretary has received adequate 
assurances from the appropriate State and local 
officials whose support is needed that the State 
and local aspects of the management plan will 
be effectively implemented. 
(4) DISAPPROVAL.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the Secretary dis-
approves the management plan, the Secretary— 
(i) shall advise the local coordinating 
entity in writing of the reasons for the dis-
approval; and 
(ii) may make recommendations to the 
local coordinating entity for revisions to 
the management plan. 
(B) DEADLINE.—Not later than 180 days 
after receiving a revised management plan, the 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
Secretary shall approve or disapprove the re-
vised management plan. 
(5) AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An amendment to the 
approved management plan that substantially 
alters such plan shall be reviewed by the Sec-
retary and approved or disapproved in the same 
manner as the original management plan. 
(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—The local coordi-
nating entity shall not use Federal funds re-
ceived under this Act to implement a substan-
tial amendment to the management plan until 
the Secretary approves the amendment. 
(6) AUTHORITIES.—The Secretary may— 
(A) provide technical assistance under the 
authority of this Act for the development and 
implementation of the management plan; and 
(B) enter into cooperative agreements with 
interested parties to carry out this Act. 
SEC. 8. EVALUATION; REPORT. 
(a) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall conduct an 
evaluation of the accomplishments of the National Herit-
age Area. An evaluation conducted under this subsection 
shall— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(1) assess the progress of the local coordinating 
entity with respect to— 
(A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act 
for the National Heritage Area; and 
(B) achieving the goals and objectives of 
the approved management plan; 
(2) analyze the Federal, State, and local gov-
ernment, and private investments in the National 
Heritage Area to determine the impact of the invest-
ments; and 
(3) review the management structure, partner-
ship relationships, and funding of the National Her-
itage Area for purposes of identifying the critical 
components for sustainability of the National Herit-
age Area. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years before the date 
on which authority for Federal funding terminates for the 
National Heritage Area under this Act, based on the eval-
uation conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
submit a report to the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. The report 
shall include recommendations for the future role of the 
National Park Service, if any, with respect to the National 
Heritage Area. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
SEC. 9. 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 National Heritage Area is en-
couraged to consult and coordinate the activities with the 
Secretary and the local coordinating entity to the max-
imum extent practicable. 
(c) OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Nothing in this 
Act— 
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regu-
lation authorizing a Federal agency to manage Fed-
eral land under the jurisdiction of the Federal agen-
cy; 
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land man-
ager to implement an approved land use plan within 
the boundaries of the National Heritage Area; or 
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized 
use of Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Fed-
eral agency. 
SEC. 10. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTEC-
TIONS. 
Nothing in this Act— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(6) 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. 
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Subject 
to subsection (b), there are authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this Act not more than $1,000,000 for any 
fiscal year. Funds so appropriated shall remain available 
until expended. 
(b) LIMITATION
ON
TOTAL
AMOUNTS
APPRO-
PRIATED.—Not more than $15,000,000 may be appro-
priated to carry out this Act. 
(c) COST-SHARING
REQUIREMENT.—The Federal 
share of the total cost of any activity under this Act shall 
be not more than 50 percent. The non-Federal contribu-
tion may be in the form of in-kind contributions of goods 
or services fairly valued. 
SEC. 12. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES. 
Nothing in this Act shall preclude the local coordi-
nating entity from using Federal funds available under 
other laws for the purposes for which those funds were 
authorized. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
SEC. 13. TERMINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. 
The authority of the Secretary to provide financial 
assistance under this Act terminates on the date that is 
15 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:04 Dec 19, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4345.IH
H4345
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS