I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5305 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess 
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Kentucky 
Wildlands National Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 5, 2019 
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
study to assess the suitability and feasibility of desig-
nating certain land as the Kentucky Wildlands National 
Heritage Area, 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 ‘‘Kentucky Wildlands 
National Heritage Area Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) HERITAGE
AREA.—The term ‘‘Heritage 
Area’’ means the Kentucky Wildlands National Her-
itage Area. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of Kentucky. 
(4) STUDY
AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 
means— 
(A) the counties in the State of Adair, 
Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, 
Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Floyd, 
Green, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, 
Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lin-
coln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, 
Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, 
Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, 
Whitley, and Wolfe Counties; and 
(B) any other areas in the State that— 
(i) have heritage aspects that are 
similar to the areas described in paragraph 
(1); and 
(ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity 
of, those areas. 
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SEC. 3. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with State and local historic preservation officers, State 
and local historical societies, State and local tourism of-
fices, and other appropriate organizations and govern-
mental agencies, shall conduct a study to assess the suit-
ability and feasibility of designating the study area as a 
National Heritage Area, to be known as the ‘‘Kentucky 
National Heritage Area’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The study shall include anal-
ysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the 
study area— 
(1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 
cultural resources that— 
(A) represent distinctive aspects of the her-
itage of the United States; 
(B) are worthy of recognition, conserva-
tion, interpretation, and continuing use; and 
(C) would be best managed— 
(i) through partnerships among public 
and private entities; and 
(ii) by linking diverse and sometimes 
noncontiguous resources and active com-
munities; 
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(2) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the 
United States; 
(3) provides outstanding opportunities— 
(A) to conserve natural, historic, cultural, 
or scenic features; and 
(B) for recreation and education; 
(4) contains resources that— 
(A) are important to any identified themes 
of the study area; and 
(B) retain a degree of integrity capable of 
supporting interpretation; 
(5) includes residents, business interests, non-
profit organizations, and State and local govern-
ments that— 
(A) are involved in the planning of the 
Heritage Area; 
(B) have developed a conceptual financial 
plan that outlines the roles of all participants in 
the Heritage Area, including the Federal Gov-
ernment; and 
(C) have demonstrated support for the des-
ignation of the Heritage Area; 
(6) has a potential management entity to work 
in partnership with the individuals and entities de-
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scribed in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage 
Area while encouraging State and local economic ac-
tivity; 
(7) could impact the rights of private property 
owners with respect to their private property; and 
(8) has a conceptual boundary map that is sup-
ported by the public. 
SEC. 4. REPORT. 
Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are first made available to carry out this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
a report that describes— 
(1) the findings of the study under section 3; 
and 
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
Æ 
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