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(c) AREA INCLUDED.—The heritage area shall in-
clude—
(1) an area approximately 1 mile on both sides
of the Cane River as depicted on map CARI,
80,000A, dated May 1994;
(2) those properties within the Natchitoches Na-
tional Historic Landmark District which are the sub-
ject of cooperative agreements pursuant to section
304(d) of this Act;
(3) the Los Adaes State Commemorative Area:
(4) the Fort Jesup State Commemorative Area;
(5) the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Commemo-
rative Area; and
(6) the Kate Chopin House.
A final identification of all areas and sites to be included
in the heritage area shall be included in the heritage area
management plan as required in section 403.
SEC. 402. CANE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA COMMIS-
SION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—To assist in implementing the
purposes of titles II and III of this Act and to provide guid-
ance for the management of the heritage area, there is estab-
lished the Cane River National Heritage Acra Commission
(hereinafter in this title referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
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(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of
19 members to be appointed no later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of this title. The Commission shall
be appointed by the Secretary as follows—
(1) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Mayor of Natchitoches;
(2) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Association for the Preservation of Historic
Natchitoches;
(3) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Inc.;
(4) two members with experience in and knowl-
edge of tourism in the heritage area from rec-
ommendations submitted by the local business and
tourism organizations;
(5) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Governor of the State of Louisiana;
(6) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Police Jury of Natchitoches Parish;
(7) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Concerned Citizens of Cloutierville;
(8) one member from recommendations submitted
by the St. Augustine Historical Society;
(9) one member from recommendations submitted
by the Black Heritage Committee;
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(10) one member from recommendations submit-
ted by the Los Ades/Robeline Community;
(11) one member from recommendations submit-
ted by the Natchitoches Historic District Commission;
(12) one member from recommendations submit-
ted by the Cane River Waterway Commission;
(13) two members who are landowners in and
residents of the heritage area;
(14) one member with experience and knowledge
of historic preservation from recommendations sub-
mitted by Museum Contents, Inc.;
(15) one member with experience and knowledge
of historic preservation from recommendations sub-
mitted by the President of Northwestern State Univer-
sity of Louisiana;
(16) one member with experience in and knowl-
edge of environmental, recreational and conservation
matters affecting the heritage area from recommenda-
tions submitted by the Natchitoches Sportsman Asso-
ciation and other local recreational and environ-
mental organizations; and
(17) the Director of the National Park Service,
or the Director’s designee, ex officio.
(c) DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission
shall—
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(1) prepare a management plan for the heritage
area in consultation with the National Park Service,
the State of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches,
Natchitoches Parish, interested groups, property own-
ers, and the public;
(2) consult with the Secretary on the preparation
of the general management plan for the historical
park;
(3) develop cooperative agreements with property
owners, preservation groups, educational groups, the
State of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches, univer-
sities, and tourism groups, and other groups to fur-
ther the purposes of titles III and IV of this Act; and
(4) identify appropriate entities, such as a non-
profit corporation, that could be established to assume
the responsibilities of the Commission following its
termination.
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—In furtherance of
the purposes of titles III and IV of this Act, the Commission
is authorized to—
(1) procure temporary and intermittent services
to the same extent that is authorized by section
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates de-
termined by the Commission to be reasonable;
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(2) accept the services of personnel detailed from
the State of Louisiana or any political subdivision
thereof, and may reimburse the State or political sub-
division for such services;
(3) upon the request of the Commission, the head
of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Com-
mission to assist the Commission in carrying out its
duties;
(4) appoint and fix the compensation of such
staff as may be necessary to carry out its duties. Staff
shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5,
United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III
of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification
and General Schedule pay rates;
(5) enter into cooperative agreements with public
or private individuals or entities for research, historic
preservation, and education purposes;
(6) make grants to assist in the preparation of
studies that identify, preserve, and plan for the man-
agement of the heritage area;
(7) notwithstanding any other provision of law,
seek and accept donations of funds or services from
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individuals, foundations, or other public or private
entities and expend the same for the purposes of pro-
viding services and programs in furtherance of the
purposes of titles III and IV of this Act;
(8) assist others in developing educational, infor-
mational, and interpretive programs and facilities;
(9) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times
and places, take such testimony, and receive such evi-
dence, as the Commission may consider appropriate;
and
(10) use the United States mails in the same
manner and under the same conditions as other de-
partments or agencies of the United States.
(e) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission shall
receive no compensation for their service on the Commis-
sion. While away from their homes or regular places of busi-
ness in the performance of services for the Commission,
members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per
diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons
employed intermittently in the Government service are al-
lowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code.
(f) CHAIRMAN.—The Commission shall elect a chair-
man from among its members. The term of the chairman
shall be for 3 years.
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(g) TERMS.—The terms of Commission members shall
be for 3 years. Any member of the Commission appointed
by the Secretary for a 3-year term may serve after expira-
tion of his or her term until a successor is appointed. Any
vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the
original appointment was made. Any member appointed to
fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term for
which the predecessor was appointed.
(h) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Commission shall submit
an annual report to the Secretary identifying its expenses
and any income, the entities to which any grants or tech-
nical assistance were made during the year for which the
report is made, and actions that are planned for the follow-
ing year.
SEC. 403. PREPARATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 3 years after the Commis-
sion conducts its first meeting, it shall prepare and submit
a heritage area management plan to the Governor of the
State of Louisiana. The Governor shall, if the Governor ap-
proves the plan, submit it to the Secretary for review and
approval. The Secretary shall provide technical assistance
to the Commission in the preparation and implementation
of the plan, in concert with actions by the National Park
Service to prepare a general management plan for the his-
torical park. The plan shall consider local government plans
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and shall present a unified heritage preservation and edu-
cation plan for the heritage area. The plan shall include,
but not be limited to—
(1) an inventory of important properties and
cultural landscapes that should be preserved, man-
aged, developed, and maintained because of their cul-
tural, natural, and public use significance;
(2) an analysis of current land uses within the
area and how they affect the goals of preservation and
public use of the heritage area;
(3) an interpretive plan to address the cultural
and natural history of the area, and actions to en-
hance visitor use. This element of the plan shall be
undertaken in consultation with the National Park
Service and visitor use plans for the historical park;
(4) recommendations for coordinating actions by
local, State, and Federal governments within the her-
itage area, to further the purposes of titles III and IV
of this Act; and
(5) an implementation program for the plan in-
cluding desired actions by State and local govern-
ments and other involved groups and entities.
(b) APPROVAL OF THE PLAN.—The Secretary shall ap-
prove or disapprove the plan within 90 days after receipt
of the plan from the Commission. The Commission shall
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notify the Secretary of the status of approval by the Gov-
ernor of Louisiana when the plan is submitted for review
and approval. In determining whether or not to approve
the plan the Secretary shall consider—
(1) whether the Commission has afforded ade-
quate opportunity, including public meetings and
hearings, for public and governmental involvement in
the preparation of the plan; and
(2) whether reasonable assurances have been re-
ceived from the State and local governments that the
plan is supported and that the implementation pro-
gram is feasible.
(c) DISAPPROVAL OF THE PLAN.—If the Secretary dis-
approves the plan, he shall advise the Commission in writ-
ing of the reasons for disapproval, and shall provide rec-
ommendations and assistance in the revision of the plan.
Following completion of any revisions to the plan, the Com-
mission shall resubmit the plant to the Government or Lou-
isiana for approval, and to the Secretary, who shall ap-
prove or disapprove the plan within 90 days after the date
that the plan is revised.
SEC. 404. TERMINATION OF HERITAGE AREA COMMISSION.
(a) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate
on the day occurring 10 years after the first official meeting
of the Commission.
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(b) EXTENSION.—The Commission may petition to be
extended for a period of not more than 5 years beginning
on the day referred to in subsection (a), provided the Com-
mission determines a critical need to fulfill the purposes
of titles III and IV of this Act; and the Commission obtains
approval from the Secretary, in consultation with the Gov-
ernor of Louisiana.
(c) HERITAGE AREA MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING TER-
MINATION OF THE COMMISSION.—The national heritage
area status for the Cane River region shall continue follow-
ing the termination of the Commission. The management
plan, and partnerships and agreements subject to the plan
shall guide the future management of the heritage area. The
Commission, prior to its termination, shall recommend to
the Governor of the State of Louisiana and the Secretary,
appropriate entities, including the potential for a nonprofit
corporation, to assume the responsibilities of the Commis-
sion.
SEC. 405. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.
Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities
directly affecting the heritage area shall—
(1) consult with the Secretary and the Commis-
sion with respect to implementation of their proposed
actions; and
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(2) to the maximum extent practicable, coordi-
nate such activities with the Commission to minimize
potential impacts on the resources of the heritage
area.
SEC. 406. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary to carry out titles III and IV of this Act.
Attest:
Secretary.
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