ing, but not limited to, the business plan for the
Wheeling National Heritage Area, an interpretive
master plan which outlines plans for the interpreta-
tion and conservation of Wheeling’s cultural and
physical resources, a heritage lighting plan, an inter-
modal transportation plan, and others of a like kind.
(c) OPERATIONS
OF
THE WHEELING NATIONAL
HERITAGE AREA CORPORATION.—In implementing the
Plan, the Corporation may make loans and grants to ap-
propriate public, governmental, or private entities and
enter into contracts with private or public entities using
funds appropriated for that purpose, or from funds do-
nated, or revenue generated from the operation of Area
resources, with these funds being used to—
(1) promote the City of Wheeling’s significant
heritage and resources;
(2) promote future growth for the City of
Wheeling in a manner consistent with its heritage,
resources, and the planning goals established for the
Heritage Area;
(3) ensure successful development of the Herit-
age Area and its principal features as specified in
the Plan and to undertake further planning and de-
sign as necessary to achieve this objective;
(4) ensure the conservation of the region’s his-
torical, cultural, and natural resources;
(5) cooperate with and assist entities whose
goals and purposes are consistent with the goals and
purposes of the Corporation;
(6) manage and operate heritage facilities,
where appropriate;
(7) coordinate and support the activities of the
Corporation or its associates and the operation of
heritage and cultural tourism attractions in the re-
gion so as to create a unified project;
(8) encourage intergovernmental and inter-
agency cooperation in the achievement of these ob-
jectives;
(9) market the Heritage Area, the City of
Wheeling and its resources as a destination for
international, national, and regional visitors;
(10) provide technical assistance to cultural
heritage efforts and develop design standards for
physical sites and educational/interpretive programs;
(11) lead in efforts to educate the public about
the significance of these resources and the heritage
of the City of Wheeling (targeting visitors as well as
local residents);
(12) promote local and regional development of
recreational opportunities, linkages, and facilities;
(13) accomplish the above in a way which will
promote economic development of the City of Wheel-
ing and the surrounding area;
(14) create public/private partnerships to fi-
nance projects and initiatives of the Heritage Area;
and
(15) seek funding from public (local, State and
Federal) agencies and private individuals, founda-
tions and corporations.
(d) RESPONSIBILITIES
OF
THE
WHEELING
NA-
TIONAL HERITAGE AREA CORPORATION.—Priority ele-
ments and actions to be carried out by the Corporation
include—
(1) assisting the State of West Virginia and the
City of Wheeling in appropriate preservation treat-
ment of the sites, buildings, and objects listed or eli-
gible for listing on the National Register of Historic
Places;
(2) increasing awareness and appreciation of
the City of Wheeling’s cultural heritage and ongoing
traditions;
(3) assisting the State of West Virginia or City
of Wheeling in designing, establishing, and main-
taining one or more visitor centers and other inter-
pretive exhibits in the Area;
(4) assisting in the enhancement of public
awareness of an appreciation for the historical and
architectural and geological resources and sites in
the Area;
(5) assisting the State of West Virginia or any
local government or any nonprofit organization in
the restoration of any historic building in the Area;
(6) encouraging, by appropriate means, en-
hanced economic and industrial development in the
Area in furtherance of the goals of the Plan;
(7) encouraging the City of Wheeling and other
local governments to adopt land use policies consist-
ent with the goals of the Plan and to take actions
to implement those policies; and
(8) ensuring that clear, consistent signs identi-
fying access points and sites of interest are put in
place.
SEC. 8. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
(a) PURPOSE.—To carry out the purposes of this Act,
the Secretary of the Interior shall—
(1) assist the Corporation in the development of
interpretive and educational materials as specified in
the Plan or subsequent planning efforts (for exam-
ple, the interpretive master plan); and
(2) provide funds for capital improvements to
projects and initial operating assistance consistent
with the Plan.
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall,
upon the request of the Corporation and as outlined in
the Plan, provide technical assistance to the Corporation
in the preparation of any plans or studies and for the im-
plementation of any plans as set out in section 7(b).
SEC. 9. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES.
Any Federal department, agency or other entity con-
ducting or supporting activities directly affecting the Area
shall—
(1) consult with the Secretary of the Interior
and the Corporation with respect to such activities;
(2) cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior
and the Corporation in carrying out its duties under
this Act and, to the maximum extent practicable, co-
ordinate such activities with the carrying out of such
duties; and
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct
or support such activities in a manner which the
Corporation determines will not have an adverse af-
fect on the Area.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Æ
HR 2843 IH——2