H. R. 4818—566
TITLE VII—MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NATIONAL HERITAGE
AREA ACT
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Mississippi Gulf Coast National
Heritage Area Act’’.
SEC. 702. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) the 6-county area in southern Mississippi located on
the Gulf of Mexico and in the Mississippi Coastal Plain has
a unique identity that is shaped by—
(A) the coastal and riverine environment; and
(B) the diverse cultures that have settled in the area;
(2) the area is rich with diverse cultural and historical
significance, including—
(A) early Native American settlements; and
(B) Spanish, French, and English settlements origi-
nating in the 1600s;
(3) the area includes spectacular natural, scenic, and rec-
reational resources;
(4) there is broad support from local governments and
other interested individuals for the establishment of the Mis-
sissippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area to coordinate and
assist in the preservation and interpretation of those resources;
(5) the Comprehensive Resource Management Plan, coordi-
nated by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources—
(A) is a collaborative effort of the Federal Government
and State and local governments in the area; and
(B) is a natural foundation on which to establish the
Heritage Area; and
(6) establishment of the Heritage Area would assist local
communities and residents in preserving the unique cultural,
historical, and natural resources of the area.
SEC. 703. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) HERITAGE AREA.—The term ‘‘Heritage Area’’ means the
Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area established by
section 4(a).
(2) COORDINATING ENTITY.—The term ‘‘coordinating entity’’
means the coordinating entity for the Heritage Area designated
by section 4(c).
(3) MANAGEMENT
PLAN.—The term ‘‘management plan’’
means the management plan for the Heritage Area developed
under section 5.
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Mis-
sissippi.
SEC. 704. MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the State the Mis-
sissippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.
(b) BOUNDARIES.—The Heritage Area shall consist of the coun-
ties of Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson
in the State.
(c) COORDINATING ENTITY.—
H. R. 4818—567
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Mississippi Department of Marine
Resources, in consultation with the Mississippi Department
of Archives and History, shall serve as the coordinating entity
for the Heritage Area.
(2) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.—The coordinating entity shall
ensure that each of the 6 counties included in the Heritage
Area is appropriately represented on any oversight committee.
SEC. 705. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the coordinating entity shall develop and
submit to the Secretary a management plan for the Heritage Area.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The management plan shall—
(1) provide recommendations for the conservation, funding,
management, interpretation, and development of the cultural,
historical, archaeological, natural, and recreational resources
of the Heritage Area;
(2) identify sources of funding for the Heritage Area;
(3) include—
(A) an inventory of the cultural, historical, archae-
ological, natural, and recreational resources of the Heritage
Area; and
(B) an analysis of ways in which Federal, State, tribal,
and local programs may best be coordinated to promote
the purposes of this Act;
(4) provide recommendations for educational and interpre-
tive programs to inform the public about the resources of the
Heritage Area; and
(5) involve residents of affected communities and tribal
and local governments.
(c) FAILURE TO SUBMIT.—If a management plan is not submitted
to the Secretary by the date specified in subsection (a), the Secretary
shall not provide any additional funding under this Act until a
management plan for the Heritage Area is submitted to the Sec-
retary.
(d) APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after receipt of
the management plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
approve or disapprove the management plan.
(2) ACTION FOLLOWING DISAPPROVAL.—If the Secretary dis-
approves a management plan under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall—
(A) advise the coordinating entity in writing of the
reasons for disapproval;
(B) make recommendations for revision of the manage-
ment plan; and
(C) allow the coordinating entity to submit to the Sec-
retary revisions to the management plan.
(e) REVISION.—After approval by the Secretary of the manage-
ment plan, the coordinating entity shall periodically—
(1) review the management plan; and
(2) submit to the Secretary, for review and approval by
the Secretary, any recommendations for revisions to the
management plan.
SEC. 706. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF COORDINATING ENTITY.
(a) AUTHORITIES.—For purposes of developing and imple-
menting the management plan and otherwise carrying out this