I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3988
To provide for the preservation and interpretation of certain lands and struc-
tures relating to the coal mining heritage of the State of West Virginia
and the Nation, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 1994
Mr. RAHALL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To provide for the preservation and interpretation of certain
lands and structures relating to the coal mining heritage
of the State of West Virginia and the Nation, 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 ‘‘West Virginia National
Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that:
(1) Certain events that led to the development
of southern West Virginia’s coalfields during the lat-
ter part of the 19th century and the early part of
the current century are of national historic and cul-
tural significance in terms of their contribution to
the industrialization of the United States, the orga-
nization of workers into trade unions and the unique
culture of the Appalachian Region.
(2) It is in the national interest to preserve and
protect physical remnants of this era for the edu-
cation and benefit of present and future generations.
(3) There is a need to provide assistance for the
preservation and promotion of those vestiges of
southern West Virginia’s coal heritage which have
outstanding cultural, historic and architectural
values.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purpose of preserving and
interpreting for the educational and inspirational benefit
of present and future generations certain lands and struc-
tures with unique and significant historical and cultural
values associated with the coal mining heritage of the
State of West Virginia and the Nation there is hereby es-
tablished the West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Area’’).
(b) BOUNDARIES.—The Area shall be comprised of
the counties in the State of West Virginia that are the
subject of the study by the National Park Service, dated
1993, entitled ‘‘A Coal Mining Heritage Study: Southern
West Virginia’’ conducted pursuant to title VI of Public
Law 100–699.
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—The Area shall be adminis-
tered in accordance with this Act.
SEC. 4. CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT.
The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to
as the ‘‘Secretary’’) is authorized to enter into a contrac-
tual agreement with the Governor of the State of West
Virginia, acting through the Division of Culture and His-
tory and the Division of Tourism and Parks, pursuant to
which the Secretary shall assist the State of West Virginia
and its units of local government in each of the following:
(1) The development and implementation of in-
tegrated cultural, historical and land resource man-
agement policies and programs in order to retain,
enhance and interpret the significant values of the
lands, waters and structures of the Area.
(2) The preservation, restoration, maintenance,
operation, interpretation and promotion of buildings,
structures, facilities, sites and points of interest for
public use that possess cultural, historical and archi-
tectural values associated with the coal mining herit-
age of the Area.
(3) The coordination of activities by Federal,
State and local governments and private businesses
and organizations in order to further historic preser-
vation and compatible economic revitalization.
(4) The development of guidelines and stand-
ards for projects, consistent with standards estab-
lished by the National Park Service, for the preser-
vation and restoration of historic properties, includ-
ing interpretive methods, that will further historic
preservation in the region.
(5) The acquisition of real property, or interests
in real property, by donation or by purchase, for
public use that possess cultural, historical and archi-
tectural values associated with the coal mining herit-
age of the Area from a willing seller with donated
or appropriated funds.
SEC. 5. ELIGIBLE RESOURCES.
The resources eligible for the assistance under para-
graphs (2) and (5) of section 4 shall include those set
forth in appendix D of the study by the National Park
Service, dated 1993, entitled ‘‘A Coal Mining Heritage
Study: Southern West Virginia’’ conducted pursuant to
title VI of Public Law 100–699. Priority consideration
shall be given to those sites listed as ‘‘Conservation Prior-
ities’’ and ‘‘Important Historic Resources’’ as depicted on
the map entitled ‘‘Study Area: Historic Resources’’ in
such study.
SEC. 6. COAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Pursuant to the contractual
agreement referred to in section 4, within 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Governor of the
State of West Virginia, acting through the Division of Cul-
ture and History and the Division of Tourism and Parks,
shall submit to the Secretary a Coal Heritage Manage-
ment Plan for the Area. The plan shall at a minimum—
(1) set forth the integrated cultural, historical
and land resource management policies and pro-
grams referred to in section 4;
(2) describe the guidelines and standards for
projects referred to in section 4; and
(3) set forth the responsibilities of the State of
West Virginia, units of local government, non-profit
entities or of the Secretary to administer any prop-
erties acquired pursuant to section 4.
(b) PLAN APPROVAL.—The Secretary shall approve
the plan submitted under subsection (a) unless he deter-
mines that it would not meet the objectives of this Act.