I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 222 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability 
and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area 
in Virginia, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 6, 2009 
Mr. WITTMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study 
of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the North-
ern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia, 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. STUDY
AND REPORT OF PROPOSED
NORTH-
ERN
NECK
NATIONAL
HERITAGE
AREA. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act’’. 
(b) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter 
referred to as ‘‘the Secretary’’), in consultation with ap-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
propriate State historic preservation officers, State histor-
ical societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall 
conduct a
study
of the suitability and feasibility of des-
ignating 
the
study 
area
as 
the
Northern
Neck
National
Heritage
Area
in the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia. 
(c) CRITERIA.—In conducting the
study, the Sec-
retary shall apply the following criteria to determine the 
suitability and feasibility of designating the
study area 
as a
National
Heritage
Area: 
(1) The
area— 
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, 
cultural, educational, scenic, or recreational re-
sources that together are nationally important 
to the heritage
of the United States; 
(B) represents distinctive aspects of the
heritage
of the United States worthy of rec-
ognition, conservation, interpretation, and con-
tinuing use; 
(C) is best managed as such an assemblage 
through partnerships among public and private 
entities at the local or regional level; 
(D) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, 
and folklife that are a valuable part of the
heritage
of the United States; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(E) provides outstanding opportunities to 
conserve natural, historical, cultural, or scenic 
features; 
(F) provides outstanding recreational or 
educational opportunities; and 
(G) has resources and traditional uses that 
have
national
importance. 
(2) Residents, business interests, nonprofit or-
ganizations, and governments (including relevant 
Federal land management agencies) within the pro-
posed
area
are involved in the planning and have 
demonstrated significant support through letters and 
other 
means 
for
National
Heritage
Areadesignation and management. 
(3) The local coordinating entity responsible for 
preparing and implementing the management plan is 
identified. 
(4) The proposed local coordinating entity and 
units of government supporting the designation have 
documented their commitment to work in partner-
ship to protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, 
and develop resources within the
National
Herit-
age
Area. 
(5) The proposed local coordinating entity has 
developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
the roles of all participants (including the Federal 
Government) in the management of the
National
Heritage
Area. 
(6) The proposal is consistent with continued 
economic activity within the
area. 
(7) A conceptual boundary map has been devel-
oped and is supported by the public and partici-
pating Federal agencies. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the
study, the 
Secretary shall consult with the managers of any Federal 
land within the proposed
National
Heritage
Area and 
secure the concurrence of the managers with the findings 
of the
study
before making a determination for des-
ignation. 
(e) BOUNDARIES
OF
THE
STUDY
AREA.—The
study
area
referred to in this section shall be comprised 
of the following: 
(1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac 
and the Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Vir-
ginia. 
(2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, 
King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia. 
(3) Other areas that have
heritage
aspects 
that are similar to those aspects that are in the 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
areas described in paragraphs (1) and (2) and which 
are adjacent to or in the vicinity of those areas. 
(f) REPORT.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) review, comment on, and determine if the
study
meets the criteria specified in this section for 
designation as a
National
Heritage
Area; 
(2) consult with the Governor of the Common-
wealth of Virginia; and 
(3) not later than 3 fiscal years after the date 
on which funds are first made available for this sec-
tion, 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 on the findings, conclusions and recommenda-
tions of the study, including— 
(A) any comments received from the Gov-
ernor of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and 
(B) a finding as to whether the proposed
National
Heritage
Area
meets the criteria 
for designation. 
(g) DISAPPROVAL.—If the Secretary determines that 
the proposed
National
Heritage
Area
does not meet 
the criteria for designation, the Secretary shall include 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
within the
study
submitted under subsection (f)(3) a 
description of the reasons for the determination. 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
22:52 Jan 10, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H222.IH
H222
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS