Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act
Bill: S.470 | Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim (D-VA)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating a study area comprised of cities and counties in Virginia and counties in North Carolina as a National Heritage Area to be known as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.
The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study area (1) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that represent distinctive aspects of the people and culture of the United States; and (2) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess 
  the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the 
   Great Dismal Swamp 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 ``Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage 
Area Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
        Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) States.--The term ``States'' means each of the States 
        of Virginia and North Carolina.
            (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means--
                    (A) the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, 
                and Suffolk in the State of Virginia;
                    (B) Isle of Wight County in the State of Virginia;
                    (C) Camden, Currituck, Gates, and Pasquotank 
                Counties in the State of North Carolina; and
                    (D) any other areas in the States that--
                            (i) have heritage aspects that are similar 
                        to the areas described in subparagraph (A), 
                        (B), or (C); and
                            (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity 
                        of, those areas.

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 ``Great 
Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area''.
    (b) Requirements.--The study 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 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, 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 Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 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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