Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act
Bill: S.4478 | Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack (D-RI)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act
This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out projects to (1) improve the resilience of historic light stations against the adverse effects of climate change, (2) ensure continued public access to historical light stations, and (3) improve public safety on the grounds of historical light stations.
The Corps must conduct a study of national historic light stations to determine the long-term protection needs of such stations and establish a national database of the stations based on the results of the study.

To provide for assistance to improve the resilience of historic light 
  stations, to study the long-term protection needs of historic light 
   stations, and to establish a national database of historic light 
                   stations, 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 ``Historic Lighthouse Resiliency 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        State or local government or nonprofit organization that owns 
        or controls a historic light station.
            (2) Historic light station.--The term ``historic light 
        station'' means a lighthouse, including walkways and 
        underlying, adjacent, and appurtenant land and related real 
        property and associated improvements--
                    (A) that is owned or controlled by an eligible 
                entity as a result of a conveyance under chapter 3051 
                of title 54, United States Code; and
                    (B) that is included, or eligible for inclusion, in 
                the National Register of Historic Places.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Army.

SEC. 3. HISTORIC LIGHT STATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may carry out projects to make 
structural or nonstructural improvements, including relocation--
            (1) to improve the resilience of a historic light station 
        against the adverse effects of climate change, such as sea 
        level rise and storm damage;
            (2) to ensure continued public access to the historic light 
        station; and
            (3) to improve public safety on the grounds of the historic 
        light station.
    (b) Costs.--
            (1) Cost-share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project 
        carried out under this section shall be 65 percent.
            (2) Project limit.--The Federal cost of a project carried 
        out under this section may not exceed $15,000,000.

SEC. 4. STUDY; NATIONAL DATABASE.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of the Interior, State Historic Preservation 
        Officers, and other appropriate State and local public agencies 
        and private organizations, shall conduct a study of national 
        historic light stations to determine the long-term protection 
        needs of historic light stations.
            (2) Requirements.--As part of the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) identify each historic light station in the 
                United States;
                    (B) recommend management alternatives that would be 
                most effective for the long-term resiliency of historic 
                light stations;
                    (C) identify sources of financial and technical 
                assistance for communities to maintain, repair, and 
                preserve historic light stations; and
                    (D) address how to assist eligible entities in 
                increasing public access to historic light stations.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which 
        funds are made available to carry out the study under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment 
        and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives a report that describes the results of the 
        study and any findings and recommendations of the Secretary.
    (b) National Database.--Based on the results of the study under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a national database of 
historic light stations.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such 
sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.
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