H. R. 4312
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
An Act
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 Representatives 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, documenta-
tion, and determinations regarding whether the Study Area—
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural
resources that together represent distinctive aspects of Amer-
ican heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, interpreta-
tion, and continuing use, and are best managed through part-
nerships among public and private entities and by combining
diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active
communities;
(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs and folklife that
are a valuable part of the national story;
(3) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural,
historic, cultural, and/or scenic features;
(4) provides outstanding recreational and educational
opportunities;
(5) contains resources important to the identified theme
or themes of the Study Area that retain a degree of integrity
capable of supporting interpretation;
(6) 
includes 
residents, 
business 
interests, 
nonprofit
organizations, and local and State governments who are
involved in the planning, have developed a conceptual financial
plan that outlines the roles for all participants including the
Federal Government, and have demonstrated support for the
concept of a national heritage area;
(7) has a potential management entity to work in partner-
ship with residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations,
and local and State governments to develop a national heritage
area consistent with continued local and State economic
activity; and
H. R. 4312—2
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 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, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut;
(2) the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, North
Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren in Connecticut; and
(3) the towns of Alford, Dalton, Egremont, Great Bar-
rington, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount
Washington, New Marlboro, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield,
Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, and West Stockbridge
in Massachusetts.
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 Resources 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.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.