Coastal Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.7471 | Sponsor: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. (D-VA)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Coastal Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2022
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating a specified study area in Virginia as a National Heritage Area, which shall be known as the Coastal Virginia National Heritage Area.

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess 
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land in Virginia 
as the Coastal Virginia National Heritage Area, 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 ``Coastal Virginia National Heritage 
Area Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
        Coastal Virginia National Heritage Area.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) Commonwealth.--The term ``Commonwealth'' means the 
        Commonwealth of Virginia.
            (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
                    (A) the First Landings Sites and surrounding 
                communities within the Commonwealth of Virginia, 
                including Fort Monroe and Cape Henry;
                    (B) the Virginia Barrier Islands and Southern 
                Delmarva Peninsula;
                    (C) the Peninsula between the York and James 
                Rivers, including the greater Historic Triangle region; 
                and
                    (D) any other areas in the Commonwealth that--
                            (i) have heritage aspects that are similar 
                        to the areas described in subparagraphs (A), 
                        (B), and (C); and
                            (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity 
                        of, the areas described in those subparagraphs.

SEC. 3. STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with State and 
local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal Governments, 
nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities, shall conduct 
a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the 
study area as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the ``Coastal 
Virginia National Heritage Area''.
    (b) Requirements.--The study conducted under subsection (a) shall 
include analysis, 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 diverse 
                people and cultures of the United States;
                    (B) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
                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 communities;
            (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, nonprofit 
        organizations, and State, local, and Tribal governments, and 
        other appropriate entities 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 Government; and
                    (C) have demonstrated support for the designation 
                of the Heritage Area;
            (6) has a potential management entity to work in 
        partnership with the individuals and entities described in 
        paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging 
        State and local economic activity; and
            (7) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 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 Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee 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.
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