I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 73 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability 
and feasibility of establishing the Northern Neck National Heritage Area 
in Virginia, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 4, 2005 
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia 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 the North-
ern Neck National Heritage Area in Virginia, 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. NORTHERN NECK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA 
STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Northern Neck National Heritage Area Study Act’’. 
(b) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior, in con-
sultation with appropriate State historic preservation offi-
cers, States historical societies, and other appropriate or-
ganizations, shall conduct a study regarding the suitability 
and feasibility of designating the study area described in 
subsection (c) as the Northern Neck National Heritage 
Area. The study shall include analysis, documentation, 
and determination 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, or scenic features; 
(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 that are involved in the planning, have devel-
oped a conceptual financial plan that outlines the 
roles of 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. 
(c) BOUNDARIES OF THE STUDY AREA.—The study 
area referred to in subsection (b) shall be comprised of 
the following: 
(1) The part of Virginia between the Potomac 
and the Rappahannock Rivers in eastern coastal Vir-
ginia. 
(2) Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, 
King George, and Lancaster Counties, Virginia. 
(3) Other areas that have heritage aspects that 
are similar to those aspects that are in the areas de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) and which are ad-
jacent to or in the vicinity of those areas. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 fiscal years after the 
date on which funds are first made available for this sec-
tion, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate a report on the findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the study. 
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