I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3191 
To establish the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical 
Park, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 13, 2011 
Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Mr. NEAL) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley 
National Historical Park, 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 ‘‘John H. Chafee Black-
stone River Valley National Historical Park Establish-
ment Act’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to establish the John H. 
Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historical 
Park— 
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(1) to help preserve, protect, and interpret the 
nationally significant resources in the Blackstone 
River Valley that exemplify the industrial heritage of 
the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley Na-
tional Heritage Corridor for the benefit and inspira-
tion of future generations; 
(2) to support the preservation, protection, and 
interpretation of the urban, rural, and agricultural 
landscape features (including the Blackstone River 
and Canal) of the region that provide an overarching 
context for the industrial heritage of the National 
Heritage Corridor; 
(3) to educate the public about— 
(A) the industrial history of the National 
Heritage Corridor; and 
(B) the significance of the National Herit-
age Corridor to the past and present; and 
(4) to support and enhance the network of part-
ners who will continue to engage in the protection, 
improvement, management, and operation of key re-
sources and facilities throughout the National Herit-
age Corridor. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map en-
titled ‘‘John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley Na-
tional Historical Park’’, numbered NEFA962/ 
111015 and dated October, 2011. 
(2) 
NATIONAL
HERITAGE
CORRIDOR.—The 
term ‘‘National Heritage Corridor’’ means the John 
H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Herit-
age Corridor. 
(3) PARK.—The term ‘‘Park’’ means the John 
H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Histor-
ical Park established under section 4. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di-
rector of the National Park Service. 
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOHN H. CHAFEE BLACKSTONE 
RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
States a unit of the National Park System, to be known 
as the ‘‘John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National 
Historical Park’’. 
(b) BOUNDARIES.—The Park shall be comprised of 
the following sites and districts, as generally depicted on 
the map: 
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(1) Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark 
District. 
(2) Slatersville Historic District. 
(3) Ashton Historic District. 
(4) Whitinsville Historic District. 
(5) Hopedale Village Historic District. 
(6) Blackstone River and the tributaries of 
Blackstone River. 
(7) Blackstone Canal. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map shall be avail-
able for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
National Park Service. 
(d) ACQUISITION OF LAND.—The Secretary may ac-
quire land or interests in land within the boundaries of 
the Park by— 
(1) donation; 
(2) purchase with donated or appropriated 
funds; or 
(3) exchange. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall admin-
ister the Park in accordance with— 
(A) this Act; 
(B) the laws generally applicable to units 
of the National Park System, including— 
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(i) the National Park Service Organic 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and 
(ii) the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 
U.S.C. 461 et seq.); and 
(C) any cooperative agreements entered 
into under subsection (f). 
(2) GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date on which funds are made avail-
able to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall 
prepare a general management plan for the 
Park— 
(i) in consultation with the States; 
and 
(ii) in accordance with— 
(I) any cooperative agreements 
entered into under subsection (f); and 
(II) section 12(b) of the National 
Park System General Authorities Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1a–7(b)). 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, the plan prepared under sub-
paragraph (A) shall consider ways to use pre- 
existing and/or planned facilities and rec-
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reational opportunities in the National Heritage 
Corridor, including— 
(i) the Blackstone Valley Visitor Cen-
ter, Pawtucket, RI; 
(ii) Captain Wilbur Kelly House, 
Blackstone River State Park, Lincoln, RI; 
(iii) the Museum of Work and Cul-
ture, Woonsocket, RI; 
(iv) River Bend Farm/Blackstone 
River and Canal Heritage State Park, 
Uxbridge, MA; and 
(v) Worcester Blackstone Visitors 
Center, located at the former Washburn- 
Moen wire factory, Worcester, MA. 
(f) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
may enter into cooperative agreements with the States, po-
litical subdivisions of the States, nonprofit organizations 
(including Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Cor-
ridor, Inc.), and private property owners to provide tech-
nical assistance and interpretation in the Park and the 
National Heritage Corridor. 
(g) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—Subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations, the Secretary may provide finan-
cial assistance, on a matching basis, for the conduct of 
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resource protection activities in the National Heritage 
Corridor. 
Æ 
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