Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act
Bill: H.R.5571 | Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy (D-CA)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Monterey Bay National Heritage Area Study Act
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties in California as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.
The study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether such counties have an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that (1) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States; and (2) are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use.

To establish the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area in the State of 
                  California, 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 ``Monterey Bay National Heritage Area 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Heritage area.--The term ``Heritage Area'' means the 
        Monterey Bay National Heritage Area.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
        California.
            (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the Counties 
        of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz in the State of 
        California.

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 offices, local Tribal organizations, 
and other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, 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 ``Monterey Bay 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 heritage 
                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 and local governments 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;
            (7) could impact the rights of private property owners with 
        respect to private property; and
            (8) 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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