I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4312
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability
and feasibility of establishing an Upper Housatonic Valley National Her-
itage Area in the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 13, 2000
Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut (for herself and Mr. OLVER) 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 an Upper
Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area in the State
of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
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 ‘‘Upper Housatonic
National Heritage Area Study Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior
(‘‘the Secretary’’) shall conduct a study of the Upper
Housatonic National Heritage Area (‘‘Study Area’’). The
study shall include analysis, documentation, and deter-
minations 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, and/or scenic fea-
tures;
(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 who are involved in the planning, have devel-
oped a conceptual financial plan that outlines the
roles for 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.
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, the
Secretary shall consult with the State historic preservation
officers, State historical societies and other appropriate
organizations.
SEC. 3. BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.
The Study Area shall be comprised of—
(1) part of the Housatonic River’s watershed,
which extends 60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachu-
setts to Kent, Connecticut;
(2) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Nor-
folk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren
in Connecticut; and
(3) the towns of Alford, Dalton, Egremont,
Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox,
Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlboro, Pitts-
field, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham,
Washington, and West Stockbridge in Massachu-
setts.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which
funds are first available for this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources
of the House of Representatives a report on the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the study.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to
carry out the provisions of this Act.
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