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107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5240
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
JULY 26, 2002
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on 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. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Northern Neck Na-
tional Heritage Area Study Act’’.
SEC. 2. STUDY.
The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with
appropriate State historic preservation officers, States his-
torical societies, and other appropriate organizations, shall
conduct a study regarding the suitability and feasibility
of designating the study area described in section 3 as
the Northern Neck National Heritage Area. The study
shall include analysis, documentation, and determination
regarding whether the study area—
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and
cultural resources that together represent distinctive
aspects of American heritage worthy of recognition,
conservation, interpretation, and continuing use, and
are best managed through partnerships among pub-
lic and private entities and by combining diverse and
sometimes noncontiguous resources and active com-
munities;
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and
folklife that are a valuable part of the national story;
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to con-
serve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features;
(4) provides outstanding recreational and edu-
cational opportunities;
(5) contains resources important to the identi-
fied theme or themes of the study area that retain
a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpre-
tation;
(6) includes residents, business interests, non-
profit organizations, and local and State govern-
ments that are involved in the planning, have devel-
oped a conceptual financial plan that outlines the
roles of all participants (including the Federal Gov-
ernment), and have demonstrated support for the
concept of a national heritage area;
(7) has a potential management entity to work
in partnership with residents, business interests,
nonprofit organizations, and local and State govern-
ments to develop a national heritage area consistent
with continued local and State economic activity;
and
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is sup-
ported by the public.
SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.
The study area referred to in section 2 shall be com-
prised 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 areas de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) and which are ad-
jacent to or in the vicinity of those areas.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which
funds are first made available for this Act, the Secretary
of the Interior shall submit to the Committee on Resources
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on
the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the
study.
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