I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5571 
To establish the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area in the State of 
California, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 12, 2021 
Mr. PANETTA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area in 
the State of California, 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 ‘‘Monterey Bay National 
Heritage Area Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) HERITAGE
AREA.—The term ‘‘Heritage 
Area’’ means the Monterey Bay National Heritage 
Area. 
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(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of California. 
(4) STUDY
AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 
means the Counties of Monterey, San Benito, and 
Santa Cruz in the State of California. 
SEC. 3. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with State and local historic preservation officers, State 
and local historical societies, State and local tourism of-
fices, local Tribal organizations, and other appropriate or-
ganizations and governmental agencies, shall conduct a 
study to assess the suitability and feasibility of desig-
nating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be 
known as the ‘‘Monterey Bay National Heritage Area’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The study shall include anal-
ysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the 
study area— 
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 
cultural resources that— 
(A) represent distinctive aspects of the her-
itage of the United States; 
(B) are worthy of recognition, conserva-
tion, interpretation, and continuing use; and 
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(C) would be best managed— 
(i) through partnerships among public 
and private entities; and 
(ii) by linking diverse and sometimes 
noncontiguous resources and active com-
munities; 
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the 
United States; 
(3) provides outstanding opportunities— 
(A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, 
or scenic features; and 
(B) for recreation and education; 
(4) contains resources that— 
(A) are important to any identified themes 
of the study area; and 
(B) retain a degree of integrity capable of 
supporting interpretation; 
(5) includes residents, business interests, non-
profit organizations, and State and local govern-
ments that— 
(A) are involved in the planning of the 
Heritage Area; 
(B) have developed a conceptual financial 
plan that outlines the roles of all participants in 
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the Heritage Area, including the Federal Gov-
ernment; and 
(C) have demonstrated support for the des-
ignation of the Heritage Area; 
(6) has a potential management entity to work 
in partnership with the individuals and entities de-
scribed in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage 
Area while encouraging State and local economic ac-
tivity; 
(7) could impact the rights of private property 
owners with respect to private property; and 
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is sup-
ported by the public. 
SEC. 4. REPORT. 
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are first made available to carry out this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Nat-
ural Resources of the House of Representatives a report 
that describes— 
(1) the findings of the study under section 3; 
and 
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
Æ 
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