To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.2359 | Sponsor: Rep. Cuellar, Henry (D-TX)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area in a border region of Texas as the Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor.
The study area includes (1) the portion of the Rio Grande River and surrounding areas as generally depicted on the map titled Los Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor and dated April 2020; and (2) any other areas in Texas that have a shared heritage with the areas depicted on the map and are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess 
the suitability and feasibility of designating certain lands as the Los 
  Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor, 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. LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Corridor.--The term ``Corridor'' means the Los Caminos 
        del Rio National Heritage Corridor.
            (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map titled ``Los 
        Caminos del Rio National Heritage Corridor'' and dated April 
        2020.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (4) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the study 
        area described in subsection (b)(2).
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with State 
        historic preservation officers, State historical societies, 
        State tourism offices, State natural resource agencies, and 
        other appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies, 
        shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility 
        of designating the study area as the Los Caminos del Rio 
        National Heritage Corridor.
            (2) Study area.--The study area includes--
                    (A) the portion of the Rio Grande River and 
                surrounding areas, as generally depicted on the map; 
                and
                    (B) any other areas in the State of Texas that--
                            (i) have a shared heritage with the areas 
                        depicted on the map described in subparagraph 
                        (A); and
                            (ii) are adjacent to, or in the vicinity 
                        of, those areas.
            (3) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, 
        documentation, and determinations on whether the study area--
                    (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and 
                cultural resources that--
                            (i) represent distinctive aspects of the 
                        heritage of the United States;
                            (ii) are worthy of recognition, 
                        conservation, interpretation, and continuing 
                        use by residents and visitors; and
                            (iii) would be best managed--
                                    (I) through partnerships among 
                                public and private entities; and
                                    (II) by linking diverse and 
                                sometimes noncontiguous resources and 
                                active communities that share a common 
                                heritage;
                    (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and 
                folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the 
                United States;
                    (C) provides--
                            (i) outstanding opportunities to conserve 
                        natural, historic, cultural, or scenic 
                        features; and
                            (ii) outstanding recreational and 
                        educational and cultural tourism opportunities;
                    (D) contains resources that--
                            (i) are important to any identified themes 
                        of the study area; and
                            (ii) retain a degree of integrity capable 
                        of supporting interpretation;
                    (E) includes residents, business interests, 
                nonprofit organizations, including museums and heritage 
                organizations, and State and local governments that--
                            (i) are involved in the planning of the 
                        Corridor;
                            (ii) have developed a conceptual financial 
                        plan that outlines the roles of all 
                        participants in the Corridor, including the 
                        Federal Government; and
                            (iii) have demonstrated support for the 
                        designation of the Corridor;
                    (F) has a potential management entity to work in 
                partnership with the individuals and entities described 
                in subparagraph (E) to develop the Corridor while 
                encouraging State and local economic activity; and
                    (G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported 
                by the public.
    (c) Report.--Not later than the end of the third fiscal year after 
the date on which funds are first made available for this section, 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; and
            (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
                                 <all>