cessation of Federal funding for the area under sec-
tion 12(a) and submit a report on the findings of 
the evaluation to the Committee on Resources of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on En-
ergy and Natural Resources of the United States 
Senate. 
(e) AUTHORITIES.—In carrying out this Act, the Sec-
retary may— 
(1) provide technical and financial assistance on 
a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as deter-
mined by the Secretary in the development and im-
plementation of management plans for designated 
National Heritage Areas; 
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with 
other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local gov-
ernments, local coordinating entities, and other in-
terested parties to carry out the purposes of this 
Act; 
(3) 
provide 
information, 
promote 
under-
standing, and encourage research on National Herit-
age Areas in partnership with local coordinating en-
tities; and 
(4) provide national oversight, analysis, coordi-
nation, technical and financial assistance, and sup-
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port to ensure consistency and accountability of the 
system. 
SEC. 5. FEASIBILITY STUDIES. 
(a) CRITERIA.—The Secretary, in undertaking a fea-
sibility study, or reviewing a feasibility study conducted 
by others, shall apply the following criteria to determine 
the feasibility of designating a proposed National Heritage 
Area: 
(1) AN AREA.— 
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, 
or cultural resources that together tell a nation-
ally important story; 
(B) represents distinctive landscapes and 
aspects of our American heritage 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 folk life that are a valuable part of the na-
tional story; 
(E) provides outstanding opportunities to 
conserve natural, cultural, historic, and/or sce-
nic features; 
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(F) provides outstanding recreational and 
educational opportunities; and 
(G) has the resources and traditional uses 
important to the identified stories and themes 
and these resources and uses retain a degree of 
integrity capable of interpretation. 
(2) Residents, business interests, non-profit or-
ganizations, and governments including relevant 
Federal land management agencies within the pro-
posed area and Tribal governments are involved in 
the planning and have demonstrated significant sup-
port through letters and other means for National 
Heritage Area designation 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 are 
willing and have documented a significant commit-
ment to work in partnership to protect, enhance and 
interpret resources within the National Heritage 
Area. 
(5) The proposed local coordinating entity has 
developed a feasible conceptual financial plan that 
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